F 832 
.U4 C72 
Copy 1 




WEALTH 

OF THE 

UINTMI 
BASIN. 

UTAH 



REVISED EDITION 
PRICE 25 CENTS 




Myton State Bank 

J. H. COLTHARP. Ptes. W. G. GENTRY. V-Pres. B. L. DART. Cashier 

Capital Surplus and Undivided Profits $30,000.00 



This bank was established Nov. 1 1 th, 1 909, its stock- 
holders (mostly all residents of this community) had con- 
fidence in the country and put their money and business 
experience back of it to make it a success and to build 
up the tributary territory. Our steady growth shows 
they were not mistaken and by careful business methods 
and caring for their depositors, are now building up one 
of the strong banks of the state. Homeseekers are in- 
vited to write for detailed inforiration and to make this 
their banking home. 



"THE BANK OF SAFETY AND SERVICE" 

EDWARD MACKIE 

U. S. COMISSIONER 

Real Estate and Insurance 



INVESTMENTS AND LOANS 



Myton, Utah 




Uintah State Bank Building completed 1914 



Uintah State Bank 

VERNAL, UTAH 

97-54 



ORGANIZED AUGUST 17th, 1910 

CAPITAL $50,000.00 SURPLUS $5,000.00 

TOTAL RESOURCES $260,000.00 



This bank has been designated as Depository for Postal 
Savings Funds, Indian moneys and Special Disbursing 
officers by the United States Government. 

You are cordially invited to place your bank account 
with this strong institution. 

Special attention given to deposits sent us by mail. 



WE PAY 4% INTEREST ON SAVINGS ACCOUNTS 
AND TIME DEPOSITS 



BRACKEN MERC. CO. 

when you come to the 

GREAT UINTAH BASIN 

Yon will find Roosevelt the central and leading town, and Bracken's 
tSe leading store in Roosevelt. We extend to strangers the same 
treatment we do regular trade, and give good honest merchandise at 
reasonably low prices. 

BRACKEN MERC. CO., ROOSEVELT, UTAH 

Get It At The Rexall Store 

NO MATTER WHAT 
NO MATTER WHEN 

If You Get It There It's Right 

WALTER LLOYD DRUG CO. 

VERNAL, UTAH 



W. U. GAGON, Ouray. Utah. 

JOHN GLENN, Vernal, Utah. 

AUGUSTINE KENDALL, Rock Springs, Wyoming. 

Owners of ANGORA RANCH. 

Breeders of Registered Angora Goats. 




Learn how to buy 

Irrigated Farms 

on Denver and Salt Lake R. R. at $10 per acre. Home- 
steads and Desert entries, Stock Ranches, Coal Mines, Oil Lands, 
Gold Placer, Power Plants and Business Locations. 

Ask JOHN GLENN of Vernal, Utah 

who has had 27 years experience surveying and Abstracting titles in the Uintah Basin 

J. Winter Smith, Civil Engineer 

VERNAL, UTAH 

IRRIGATION ENGINEERING A SPECIALTY 

INVESTIGATIONS, SURVEYS. MAPS 
DESIGNS. ESTIMATES, REPORTS 

Reliable Information Furnished. Homeseekers Located. 




Pianos - Player Pianos - Victrolas 

Everything Musical 

Buy on Our Easy-Pay-Plan 

HENDERSON-BARTLETT MUSIC CO. 

VERNAL, UTAH 

Utah Representatives of 
Knight-Campbell Music Co., Denver, Colo. 



The >A^ay to Reacn 

1 ne Uintan Basin 

is by way of the 

DENVER F^DIOfiPSMDR 

"SCENIC LINE OF THE WORLD'' 

Either rrom Denver on tne East or Salt Lake City on tne AA' est. 

1 nree trains daily carrying tnrougn Standara and i ourist 
Sleepers between St. Louio, Kansas City, Omana, Cnicago, 
Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Salt Lake City, Ogaen, 
Oakland and San Francisco. 

Detailed iniormation tree on request: 
E. L. LOMAX F. A. WADLEIGH 

Asst. PassV Traffic Manager Passenger Traffic Manager 

San Francisco Denver 

I. A BENTON, G. A. P, D., Judge Bldg. 

Salt Lake City, Utah 



VERNAL 



ROOSEVELT 





Distance 33.3 miles 

Automobile tires, tubes, oils, gasoline and other sup- 
plies always in stock at both places. 
Carload shipments of building material of all kinds 
make it easy for us to supply your wants with every- 
thing necessary for building a home. 

LESLIE ASHTON HARDWARE CO. 

Vernal and Roosevelt, Utah 



GEO. E. ADAMS 



Outfitting Homeseekers 
and Tourists a Specialty 

FULL and COMPLETE LINE OF TENTS, TARPAULINS and BEDS. 
GENERAL MERCHANDISE, CLOTHING and SHOES. Hay and Grain 

VE^RNAL, UTAH 

Post Cards and Stationery, Pop Corn 

and Peanuts, Home Made Candies 

Ice Cream and Soda Water 



VERNAL CONFECTIONERY 



Siney Lewi*, Jr., Prop. 



VERNAL, UTAH 



THE BEST ON EARTH 



me 



7^^ STUDEBAKER^ 

Wagons, Buggies and Harness 



SXUDEBAKEIR B ROS. CO.,of UXAH 

Vernal and Roosevelt Branch Houses— R. Calder, Resident Manager 



Woodard -Curry 
Furniture Co. 

VERNAL, UTAH 




Quality Furniture 



Majestic Ranges and 
Free Sewing Machines 



Coltharp Stores 

Company 

RANGLEY, COLO. 



GASOLINE. OIL, 
AUTO REPAIRS 
POST CARDS 



OUTFITTERS for 
HOMESEEKERS 
AND TOURISTS 



STEAMBOAT SPRINGS 

COLORADO 




Indoor Plunge Bath, Sulphur Water 103 Degrees F. 



Steamboat Springs is situated 159 miles West of Denver, via Government 
Auto Highway over Rabbit Ears Pass. It is the largest town between 
Denver, Colo., and Vernal, Utah. Auto travelers and visitors will find 
their '-Haven of Rest" at Steamboat Springs. Auto supplies, best hotel 
(■'The Cabin,") accommodations, with an endless variety of health giving 
mineral waters to bathe in and drink to the "limit" of their desires and 




Cabin Hotel— the Joy of the Tourist 

capacity. Every steamboat must have its "Cabin" to care for the needs 
and comforts of the traveling public. Here, Mother Nature is giving out 
to "Father Time" an Eternal demand, the warmth (103 deg. F.) of Her 
Love, the waters of Life and Health, at the indoor plunge pool. 



L. W. CURRY M. W. CURRY. Jr. 



Curry Mercantile Co 

OURAY, UTAH 

General Merchandise 
and Indian Trader 

SUPPLIES for SHEEPMEN 



Navajo Blankets, Bead Work, Hat Bands, Belts and all 
kinds of Indian Curios 



Calvert & Waugh 

GENERAL MERCHANDISE 



HARDWARE AND HARNESS 
TARPAULINS AND BEDDING 




^ 



Myton, Utah 



Uintah Basin 
Realty Co. 

ROOSEVELT, UTAH 

We Sell 
Uintali Basin 

LANDS 

Send for Free Literature 
and Price List 

Pick-up Lands 
trs^ G. M. Pickup 

ROOSEVELT, UTAH 

Special Representative National Co-Operative 
Realty Co., Washington, D. C. 

J. M. RUSSELL 

INVESTMENT CO. 

ROOSEVELT, UTAH 

Real Estate a Specialty 



Tour Gfiecking Account 

\Vill be welcome at this bank, wbetber large or small. Every 
help and accommodation consistent -with safe, sound banking 
will be accorded you. Our tvorkinf; force is ample and com- 
petent^ assuring ijuick and accurate service. We provide 
deposit slips, bank and check books free of charge. There is 
no better way of protecting ones income than by depositing 
your earnings in this bank and payirg your obligations by 
check. It is the dignified, impressive, credit-building method 
of handling your financial affairs. // is the one saje ivay. 
You ha-ve a complete record and get a receipt for payments made. 

Roosevelt Banking Company 

ROOSEVELT, UTAH 

W. A. MILES. President C I. JOHNSON. Vi«-Pr«iacrt 

HOMER P. EDWARDS, Cashier 



ROOSEVELT REALTY CO. 

ROOSEVELT [Incorporated] UTAH 

PIONEERS IN THE REALTY BUSINESS 

Have placed and sold 360 lots in Roosevelt, 
center oi the famous Dry Gulcn District. 
West Park sut-division, just on tne market. 

IMPROVED FARMS FOR SALE 



WALLACE CALDER 

Aftorney at Law 
VERNAL : : : UTAH 

THE FARM SHOP 

ED. F. HARMSTON ^ SON 

ROOSEVELT, UTAH 



Dealers m Uintah Basin Farm Lands 

W rite Them for Free Information 



For FARM IMPLEMENTS go to 




Leading Implement House m Utan, Idaho^ 
Wyoming and Nevada 



A. STREBEL. Branch Manager 

VERNAL. UTAH 



C. I. JOHNSON. Branch Manager 
ROOSEVELT. UTAH 



Ducnesne City 

UTAH 

IOCAXED at junction or Ducnesne ana 
J Strawberry rivers. Fifty-two miles from 
Colton. Daily auto service, Ducnesne 
Sta^e ana Transportation Company. Many ideal 
power ana reservoir sites nearby. Famous Elater- 
ite beds. 125,000 acres tillable land adjacent. 
Excellent opportunities for bomeseekers, and all 
classes of business. For furtner information address 
Secretary or the Commercial Club 

\A^e ITave a Home m the Uintan Basin 
Tor You 

Mofter-Bracken Realty Co. 

ROOSEVELT, UTAH 



We make a specialty of Colorado Park lands. On permanent 
survev of Morfat Railroad 



INDIAN TRADER! 

Beaded Moccasins Purses 

$1.00 io $3.00 25c to $1.50 

Navajo Rugs Hat Bands Belts 

$2.50 to $25.00 75c to $1.50 75c to $1.50 

R. L. MARIMON 

Whiterocks, Utah 

ORPHEUS HALL ^r^^'^ 

C. W. SHOW ALTER, Manager VERNAL, UTAH 

Moving 
Pictures 

Theatricals 
Dances 
Roller Skating 



Only spring floor 
in Uintah 6asin 




McKie's Dry- Cleaning Works 

VERNAL UTAH 

Ladies ana Gents Clotning :: Navajo Rugs, Lace Curtains, 
Portiers, Sweaters, etc. :: Gents Hats Cleaned, I51ockea,Triininea 

Agent for ED. V. PRICE CLOTHING 

CHAS. A. SMITH 

Consulting Engineer (Irrigation and Land) 
504 Jacobson Bldg., Denver, Colo. 

btop at Jensen for Gasoline and Oil 
JENSEN MERCANTILE COMPANY 



'Gate'way to the Great Uintah Basin* 



JENSEN, UTAH 



W. p. Coltharp 
Mercantile Co. 



: ESTABLISHED 1894: 



We Lead in Prices and Quality 



GROCERIES. DRY GOODS 
BOOTS AND SHOES 
FURNISHING GOODS 
MEN'S and BOYS' CLOTHING 
JOHN B. STETSON HATS 



LADIES' 1 


COATS 


MISSES' 


SUITS 


CHILDREN'S 


DRESSES 



We are 

Competitors of Catalog Houses 

W. p. COLTHARP MERC. CO. 
VERNAL, UTAH 



REVISED EDITION 

Wealth 

of the 

Uintah Basin, Utah 

and 

Automobile Guide 



CONTENTS 

Fage 

Wealth of the Uintah Basin 15 

Physical Features of Uintah Basin lit 

How to Get In 25 

Precious Metals and Coal 27 

Dairy Farming 31 

Timber in the Forest 33 

Hydro-Carbons 37 

Alfalfa and Sweet Clover Seed 40 

Oil in the Basin 41 

Story of Wolf River Apples 43 

Map of Uintah Basin 44 

Indians and Indian Land ' 47 

Hunting and Fishing- 48 

Hints to Homeseekers 49 

Schools and Churches 50 

The Honey Industry 53 

Sheep. Horses and Cattle 55 

Hogs and Poultry 58 

Towns, and Territory Tributary to Each 59 

Map of Auto Highway 70 

Log of Auto Highway '^2 

Facts About Uintah Basin 74 

Miles of Canals 75 

Facts About Utah 76 



COPYRIGHTED 1914 
CjI B. cook, vernal, UTAH 







\^ 



<^ 



V^^^ JIJN 12 1914 #.^ 

@Cl.Aa75545 



Wealth of the Uintah Basin 

Readers of George Barr McCutcheoii's Graustark have won- 
dered if he visited Northeastern Utah before he wrote that 
wonderful novel, telling of a beautiful country and a happy and 
prosperous people. The Uintah Basin is the biggest and richest 
undevelop country in the West, and offers the homeseeker and 
investor the most flattering opportunity. Land is cheap, water 
is plentiful and climate is perfect. Mountain and plain hold 
untold mineral wealth. The fame of the Hydro-carbon and oil 
fields has spread abroad. The timber in the forest is abundant 
and valuable. 

The estimated area of land is 5,376,000 acres, of which .540,- 
000 acres is tillable. The portion not tillable is divided into 
grazing, timber, oil. mineral and "bad lands." Of the tillable land 
there is probably 100,000 acres under cultivation. The general 
slope of the country is east and southeast, with a fall just right 
for easy irrigation. The character of the soil varies according 
to the location. In one section of the countiy is the red sandy 
loam and in another is the gray clay. The low country is "made" 
soil and is anywhere from five to fifty feet in depth. It has been 
said that if the Uintah Basin were cut off from all the rest of 
the world, with no means of ingress or egress, it would be self- 
supporting. It would produce everything with the exception of 
tropical fruits. The main crops are fruit, alfalfa, sweet clover, 
oats, wheat, barley, rye, cane, melons, garden truck of all kinds, 
and sugar beets. 

It is the best watered country in the West. In order to get 
an idea of the number of streams the reader is invited to refer to 
the map. The rivers and creeks, rising in the mountains, hurry 
in their mad flight, one running into the other, until the identity 
of all merges into three, near Ouray, and afterwards into one, the 
great Green, which moves on in search of the mysteries of the 
Grand cauon of the Colorado. 

On another page is a table of canals which will be of interest. 
Many private canals have been supplying water for some years. 
Others are under course of construction and others in contem- 
plation. As rapidly as money can be raised the work progresses. 

The United States government began building canals for In- 
dian lands in the spring of 1905. At the close of tiie year 1913 the 
sum of $850,000 had been expended and 142 miles of main canals, 
with 175 miles of laterals had been completed. The area of In- 
dian lands covered is approximately 100,000 acres. The average 
cost of the construction of government canals is $7 per acre. The 
average cost of water throughout the Basin is $10 per acre. 

The altitude of the Basin is from 5,000 to 6,000 feet above 
the sea level. The atmosphere is naturally dry and pure, a giver 

15 



WEALTTT OF TIFE T f X T A TT T^ A S I X. I'TAII 

of liealtli to man and boast. The snn shines in whole or in part. 
325 days out of the 365 each year. On the west and northwest. 
from whence come the spring winds, is a shelter of lofty moun- 
tains, some of the peaks of which stand, solemn and majestic, 
uncovered heads white with snow, to heights of more than 13,50(1 
feet. The wind, which would sweep down that vast territory at 
terrific velocity but for these shelters, passes to the north of 
the Uintah mountains into Wyoming, and the blizzards rage in 
that state while over here the peaceful valleys are kissed by a 
smiling sun. For a few weeks in the spring there is considerable 
wind. During other seasons of the year the climate is glorious. 
The summer day is not too hot and the summer night is a de- 
light. The autumn is a dream. The winter is still, with plenty 
of snow. Now and then the weather is cold, but the average for 
the winter is not severe. The cold season is comparatively short — 
a month or six weeks at the most. The snow in the lowlands 
melts early in the spring and long before the farmer is ready to 
begin active cultivation the ground is in good shape. In the 
mountains the snow melts later, and in the midst of the irriga- 
tion season the streams are filled to the brim. The average date 
of the first killing frost in the autumn is October 4 and the last 
in the spring is May 4. The Aveather conditions in June, July 
and August are so nearly perfect that the growth of vegetation 
is so rapid that only seeing is believing. 

From the summit of the Wasatch mountains on the west to 
the Utah-Colorado line on the east, average distance 120 miles, 
from the Uintah range on the north to the Book Cliffs on the 
south, average distance 70 miles, total 8,400 square miles, total 
acreage 5.376.000 acres, is a territory rich in agriculture, stock 
raising, mineral, oil and coal. 




Cozy Corner, Fort Duchesne. Utah, showing asphaltum pavement 
17 



\yEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

Physical Features of Uintah Basin 

(By Earl Douglass) 

To those who have spent their lives in the Uintah Basin its 
physical features seem quite matter-of-fact. The stranger sees 
it as a strange land indeed, a chaos of rocks, hills, buttes, bad- 
hinds, valleys, caiions, benches, foot-hills and mountains. Those 
wlio have an eye for the wild and out-of-the-way, the beautiful 
and picturesque, who are weary of cities and artificiality, revel 
in its wildness. 

The practical man sees the billions in money-value in its 
gilsonite, asphalt, and other hydro-carbons, in its prospects of 
great oil-outputs, in the forests and minerals of its mountains, 
and its great engineering possibilities which will make "streams 
of water in the deserts," causing them to "blossom as the rose," 
and in other sources of wealth and progress too numerous to 
mention here. 

The man whose chief interest is in human progress sees in 
vision a land transformed, sees hundreds of thousands of farms 
and pleasant homes, with the greatest diversity of farm products 
and home comforts, with fine stock and finer people, these homes 
threading the labarynths of the hills, spreading over the benches 
and climbing the mountain sides. But in spite of the industry 
of man he sees ever in the background of cultivated lands the 
background of the mountains, bad lands, buttes and benches, the 
ancient bulwarks of primeval nature, which will ever appeal to 
the feelings, instincts and imaginations of man and help to shape 
his character. 

"But how does it appeal to the man who has made the struc- 
ture of the earth his principal study?" This, virtually is the 
question which the writer is asked to answer in this short sketch. 

He may see all that others see, and more. He sees how an 
intelligent, common sense study of the physical characteristic of 
a country, especially like that of the Uintah Basin, would save 
a vast amount of time, worry, and disappointed hopes, and 
would be an immense aid in the healthy growth of the country 
and the development of its unnumbered resources. 

If we are dealing with the earth — -and that is the source from 
wliich all our wealth comes — we will be benefitted directly by 
knowing more about the earth. The occurrence of precious met- 
als, oil, hydro-carbons, etc., are directly related to the rocky 
structure of the earth; and though prospecting oiten requires 
large expenditures of money, the amount expended need be only 
a fraction of what it usually is if the prospecting were done on 
a true scientific basis. 

No one is more dependent on geological conditions than the 
farmer — in fact the whole future prospects of the country depend 

19 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH ?■ A 8 1 X. UTAH 

on its physical and geological conditions, for its soil, local climate, 
the conditions for profitable irrigation, the division into farm 
and grazing land, what crops will grow best in certain localities, 
depend on geological conditions. 

Do YOU know that the Uintah Basin stands by itself? that 
liiere is no other region like it in topography, climate, physical, 
and geological conditions? No other rocks in the world have 
yielded the remains of fossil animals like those of the Uintali 
deposits along Green and White rivers. No other region has 
yielded such an abundance of nearly complete skeletons of the 
huge Dinosaurs, no other country has such deposits of hydro- 
carbons, and there is no other country which will give tlie same 
iiiunber and range of agricultural products. 

The details of geology like those of other sciences are com- 
plex and it requires patient work and skill to understand them; 
but some of the main principles are comparatively easy and are 
of great practical value besides giving zest and pleasant study for 
every excursion out of doors especially in a region like this. 
We can here give only a few principles hoping that in the near 
future it will be practicable to publish a booklet on the physical 
geography, and geology of this region, which will be interesting 
and profitable to the pupil in the schools, to the laborer on the 
farm, the promoter of great engineering projects, and all who 
are interested in the development of the resources of the region 
and in making it their homes. 

If you stand on the Uintah mountains in the region north 
of the Ashley valley and look to the southward you see a maze 
of rocks, buttes, benches, canons, valleys, etc., that seem a chaos 
which admits of no rational explanation. 

Beneath your feet ai-e red sandstones or quartzites. A little 
farther to the southward the outcrops of rock are of hard lime- 
stones which contain the shells of ancient sea-animals. Still 
farther to the southward and forming the shoulder of slopes of 
the mountains are hard sandstones. Then come red beds a 
thousand feet or more which weather into cliffs and slopes facing 
the mountains. Beyond these are sandstones again weathering 
into buttes and massive architectural forms in the foothills. Then 
there are sandy shales containing more marine shells then bad- 
land deposits and sandstones confining bones and skeletons of 
huge Dinosaur then more sandstones and south of these a sea- 
deposit of soft shale a mile or so in thickness which, weathering 
into plains give us the Ashley valley, then sandstones and shales 
again beyond these beds of alternately soft and hard rocks con- 
taining asphalt, veins of hydro-carbons and the bones, teeth and 
skulls of fossil animals different from anything known today or 
found in rocks in any other part of the world. 

21 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 



In glaiK-iiiji' o\('i' this scries of rocks yon luivc hi'cn gazing 
all tlio time on ncwri' and neAver rocks. All arc "older than the 
hills" into which the elements have carved them, but newest are 
young compared with those which lie at your feet. 

Here the rocks slope away towards the southward, leaning 
up against the mountains. Go to the north side of the mountains 
and you will find in places the same beds dipping the other way 
or leaning against the north slope — at least you would if more 
recent deposits did not cover then. Evidently there has been an 
upheavel of the rocky^ crust of the earth in a great wave, and 
time and the elements have slowly worn oft' the crest of the 
rocky billow. 

But the earth waves, like those of the sea are not perfectly 
simple long upheavels, but they are more or less complicated by 
smaller waves. If this were not so we would see straight lines of 
buttes, parallel with the mountains, carved from the heavy sand- 
stone layers, and cliff's of the red beds extending like a red band 
from east to west, etc. But these smaller folds or waves compli- 
cate matters and make a formation that seems to dodge in and 
out or turn to the southward to get around the smaller uplift. 

The rising of these waves which form the Uintalh mountains 
was evidently no sudden dramatic catastrophe for it has risen 
across the course of the Green river which, as the uplift rose 
slowly cut its way down into its rocky beds keeping its right 
of way without changing its course. 

Wliat has the upheavel done? It has raised the altitude, in- 
creased the precipitation of moisture thus making the streams 
that have cut canons into the mountain sides and made valleys 
below. Soft rocks have been washed away making valleys nar- 
row or broad, depending on the dip of the rock. It has given 
the grade to the streams which makes irrigation, and great utili- 
zation of Avater power possible. It has compelled streams to 
pass through a great series of rocks and carried down the mineral 
constituents of all and deposited it in the valleys. It has made 
thousands of combinations of soils of local climatic conditions 
and of topographic features. 



^mmffi 




^^'^^<&tom»« 



Restored Brontosaurus. This animal lived in Uintah Basin millions of 
years ago. Complete skeleton recently unearthed at Jensen quarry 
by Earl Douglass, of Carnegie Museum. Pittsburgh, Pa. Twenty-six 
four-horse teams required to haul bones to railroad. Animal was loo 
feet long and 20 feet tall. 

23 





TRIO OF STEEL BRIDGES 
I — $25,000 Government Bridge across Duchesne River at Myton. on auto 

highway. 
2 — $15,000 Government Bridge across Duchesne River at Duchesne. 
3 — $33,500 State and County Bridge across Green River at Jensen, on auto 

highway. 



w K A L 1 n OF T Tr ]■: [ i \ t a 1 1 p. A s I X. r v a h 
How to Get 111 

Transportation facilities are constantly improving and it is 
expected that before the closing of the Panama Exposition the 
Denver and Salt Lake (MoH'at Road) railroad will penetrate the 
Uasin. Trains are now running from Denver to Craig, a distance 
of 256 miles. Craig is 135 miles from Vernal, in the Ashley Val- 
ley. An auto freight and passenger service between Craig and 
Uintah Basin points is being established as this booklet goes to 
press. Work on the railroad from Craig westward is to be 
|)ushed to a rapid completion. An obstacle in the way of this 
load is the James Peak on the main range of the Rocky Moun- 
tains. In February of this year the taxpayers of Denver voted 
in favor of a bond issue of $3,000,000 to aid in the construction 
of a six-mile tunnel through the mountain at a cost of $4,500,000. 
The railroad company is to furnish the balance of the money and 
work on the tunnel is to be pushed. It is believed the tunnel 
can be completed in two or three years. The Denver & Salt 
Lake road will shorten the distance to Salt Lake about 200 
miles. 

The automobile highway, a link in the ocean-to-ocean high- 
way is now practically ready to travel from Denver to Salt 
Lake through the Uintah Basin, both via Steamboat Springs and 
Craig and Glenwood Springs, Rifle and Meeker, merging into one 
road near the Utah-Colorado line. See auto map and log on 
other pages. Homeseekers who desire to travel to the Basin by 
team will find the auto road very desirable. Going in from Salt 
Lake or other parts of Utah there are two choices, one via the 
StraAvberry project and one via Colton, both roads merging into 
one at Duchesne. 

There are other routes and some of them are delightful. 
Traveling from the east or the west you quit the D. & R. G. rail- 
road at ilack, Colorado. The Uintah Railway train is made up 
and ready to start on a wonderful journey, through valley and 
canon and across the Baxter pass at the summit of the Book 
Cliffs. The road was constructed principally for the purpose of 
hauling the immense tonnage of gilsonite. The distance from 
Mack to Watson, Utah, is 65 miles. Watson to Vernal, 54 miles. 
From Watson autos convey the passengers to Vernal, in the 
Ashley valley, the most thickly settled portion of the Uitnah 
Basin. The trip may also be made by way of Colton or Price, 
on the D. & R. G. road. Private conveyance from Price, or auto 
from Colton, and the traveler is soon in the midst of the vast 
former Uintah Indian Reservation, where many towns have 
sprung up and where much land has been developed. Occasionally 
a trip is made from points on the Union Pacific in Wyoming, by 
way of Brown's park and Lucerne valley. 

25 



W K A T. T H < > F T H E UINTAH I'. A S I X. V T A H 

Precious Metals and Coal 

It is claimed that two-thirds of the Uranium and Vanadium 
ore of the United States is found in Utah and Colorado. Most 
of the Utah deposits are in the Uintah Basin, and the Green 
river country. In the Blue Mountain country, in the Eastern part 
of Uintah Basin, along the Utah-Colorado line many claims have 
been located. On Skull Creek, in Colorado, near the state line, 
in Brown's Park and near Rangely, claims have also been located. 
Considerable prospect work has been carried on. With shipping 
facilities, the mining of these Radium-bearing ores will be carried 
on extensively. Utah mineral experts have announced that a 
vein of this ore extends from Independence, on the former In- 
dian reservation, to the Wasatch mountains. Recent discoveries 
have been made near Ouray. The ore is found principally as an 
impregnation of the sandstone and lies in any part of the same 
near the surface, sometimes immediately underneath the con- 
glomerate, at others on top of the shale. The conglomerate is 
sometimes the source of valuable ore and occasionally the quar- 
tzite shows a slight mineralization. The principal mineral is the 
canary yellow carnotite, whose color is often obscured, and a 
variety of earthly minerals usually accompany it. The various 
minerals present a startling array of colors; black, all shades of 
green, yellow, blood red. The black is sometimes glossy, like 
coal, sometimes talcy, and sometimes dull earthy. These are 
usually the best grades of ore. 

Radium as put on the market, comes in the form of a radium- 
barium chloride, and not in the metallic state. A certain amount 
of radium contained in a relatively large bulk of the salt is just 
as effective as the same quantity would be in the metallic state, 
and in addition some bulk is given the radium preparation so that 
it is easily handled, divided or applied, and the useless cost of 
producing the pure metal is avoided. The price at which radium 
sells at present ranges from $120 to $180 a milligram of metallic 
radium. 

The banks of Green river for many miles are rich in placer 
gold. Near Jensen a great amount of work has been done, and 
much money has been expended in the installation of machinery. 
Up to date there has been but little money made in placer mining, 
but fortunes are sure in store along this stream, and will be made 
when saving processes are perfected. 

(4old, copper and zinc discoveries have been made in Blue 
]\Iountains and Brown's Park. In the Green River gorge there 
is an abundance of high grade copper. Near Ouray the Uteland 
Copper Company, Col. Geo. F. Timms, manager, has been oper- 
ating for a number of years. Recently work on the property was 

27 



WEALTH OF THE UIXTAH P> A S I X. UTAH 

suspended, but is soon to be resumed. In the \Miiterocks and 
Rock Creek sections, on the former reservation, there is said to 
be gold, copper and silver. From the Dyer mine, on Dyer Moun- 
tain, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of copper were 
shipped years ago. The ore ran so high in values that it paid 
to haul it by wagon to the railroad. The vein either pinched out 
or was lost and for a long time the property has been idle. 

The mining of precious and semi-precious metals will be 
carried on extensively when the railroad comes. 

It is claimed there is enough coal in the Ashley vallej' to 
last 150 years at the present rate of consumption.. The mines 
are located near Vernal. Coal is delivered for $4.50 per ton. In 
the Wasatch Mountains, near the survej' of the Denver & Salt 
Lake railroad, there are immense coal beds, containing millions 
of tons. Discoveries of coal have been made near Roosevelt, 
Myton and Duchesne, and some shipments have been made from 
at least one mine near Roosevelt. 




Photo by R. Caliler. Vernal, Utali. 
Moonlight on the Duchesne — Scene near Myton. Utah. 



29 



\y E A T. 'r H o V T ] T 1-: i' i n t a it b a s t n. t t t a h 



Dairy Farming 



Thousands of dollars annually could be made in dairy farm- 
ing even before the advent of a railroad. Calder Brothers, en- 
gaged in the creamery business in Vernal, have a standing order 
from Salt Lake for 1.000 pounds of butter per day. Dairy farm- 
ing is conducted on such a small scale that the orders can not 
be filled. Recently, however, the farmers have become interested 
and are improving their herds. During the winter of 1913-14, W. E. 
Broome, of Myton. shipped in a large number of Jersey cows and 
calves from Iowa. The entire number was soon disposed of at 
good prices. One cow in this shipment has a Vecord of 60 pounds 
of milk per day, which tests 6 per cent or about 4 pounds of but- 
ter fat. One man can attend to 15 cows, and 15 cows of that 
kind would produce 1,800 pounds of butter per month, which, at 
25 cents per pound, would amount to $450. This particular cow 
is exceptional. But suppose the herd yields only half that 
amount, there is still big money in dairy farming. "May Rilma," 
a coAv owned by E. B. Bassett, of the Chester Brook farm, near 
Philadelphia, gave, during the year 1913, ten tons of milk. The 
gross earnings of the animal for the year amounted to $1,200. 
Many farmers in various parts of the country report net annual 
profits of $100 per cow. 

Will it pay me to go into the dairy farm business? Can I get 
the cows ? Can I find sale for my product ? These are some of the 
questions the farmer asks himself when dairying is suggested. It 
will pay. You can get the cows. If no other Avay is open, there is 
the way of raising cows. With a few good ones to start with and 
the services of a desirable bull one can soon build up a herd. 

An important item in connection with dairying is that of 
proper feed for cows. The department of agriculture recently 
concluded a series of interesting experiments to determine the 
efi'ect on the flavor of milk of feeding diflferent kinds of rations 
to cows. The department has decided in favor of bran and corn 
as producing the finest flavored milk. The experiments were 
conducted to ascertain the correctness of the theory of some 
dairymen that the feeding of crushed oats to coavs would improve 
the flavor of the milk. Six cows were used in the experiments 
and the various kinds of rations were fed to them. In all 50 
opinions Avere passed on the various samples of milk from these 
eoAvs. Of these sixteen shoAved a preference for the milk from 
coAvs fed on crushed oats, twenty-five preferred that from the 
bran, and corn ration, Avhile nine expressed no choice. 

The Uintah Basin is a great country for Avheat, corn, oats, 
alfalfa, SAveet clover and sugar beets. 



31 



W K A I. T II O !■' T HE UINTAH J'> A S 1 N. U I' A 11 

Timber in the Forest 

SmroiiiKliiig (he I'iutali ISasiu in a si'ini-ciick', or luH'st'-sliue 
shape, (lie Uintah and Wasatch moiiiitains form a- natural i-ini, 
till' Cintali mountains lying to the north and tin' Wasatch to 
1 he west and southwest, making one continuous chain around the 
vast bodies of agricultural land on the lowlands of the basin. 
'I'o give the reader a good idea of the location of this mountain 
chain with regards to the agricultural land, stretch out your 
left hand palm upward, pointing the second linger directly north- 
west, bending all of the end points of your fingers and thumb 
upward a little to represent the mountain crest. This illustra- 
tion will give you a fan like basin that represents Uintah Basin. 
All of the drainage from this entire mountain chain on the inside 
comes to a point in tlie southeast corner, emptying into Green 
liver, where it breaks through the Book cliffs. The elevation of 
these mountains varies from 6,000 feet to very nearly 14,000 feet 
above sea level. The water supply is well distributed and both 
mountain systems pour large volumes into the basin from all 
directions, except from the southeast, coming from springs and 
pei'j)etual snow banks. 

This entire mountain chain is clothed with a fairly dense 
growth of timber and brush, varying in character from the black 
sage and schadscale of the plains country to the Alpine fir and 
]-]ngleman spruce, adapted to the highest altitude that tree growth 
attains. This wooded growth forms natural belts according to 
the altitudes, to which they are best adapted. The lower hills 
are covered with cedar, pinion, scrub oak, clierry and chaparell, 
forming one belt, or type. Next above comes the Western Yellow 
pine and Aspen types. Next in order, the Lodge pole, Douglas 
fir and Aspen; Engleman spruce and Alpine fir, growing to an 
elevation of 11,000 feet above sea level. Above this, along the 
rocky ledges and under the brinks of the mountain crests lie large 
banks of perpetual snow that feed the streams continuously. 

In volume of production, lodge-pole pine predominates, form- 
ing probably 67% of the entire forest production of this moun- 
tain system. The estimated amount of merchantable timber 
approximates a volume of three-fourths of a billion feet board 
measui-e of wood that can be sawed up and manufactured into 
lumber suitable for building purposes. One billion feet board 
measure of material that will make ties enough to buld two road 
beds across the entire North American continent from east to 
west and maintain them indefinitely. From the saw timber, lum- 
bei- of very good grades can be made and at the present time 
ten dirt'erent lumbering concerns are manufacturing it into build- 
ing material, all to be used for building purposes in the Uintah 
Basin. 

33 



W !•: A I- 'I' 



(» K 



UK IT TNT ATT I*. AS IN, I'TAII 



r]i(iii this same inoinilaiii aica, wliicli comprises appi-oxiiualc- 
ly one and one- I'otirt h iiiillioii acres, valuable forage tor stock 
iiidws ill profusion. ii|ion wliicii. at tlie ]ii-eseiit time, 200, 000 head 
ot slicep. -JO.OOO head i.t cattle and 10,000 head of hoi'ses are 
being grazed during the .sunuuer season. Tiiese grazing })rivileges 
are allotted by the forest service to the resident ranch owners, 
living u|ion agricultuial land upon which hay and grain is raised 
foi- feeding [lurposes during the winter months. The forest range 
is made a part of a rotary system, whereby stock are fed from 
the products of ranch property in winter time, grazed on the low 
rolling lands in the s|ning time and on the higher mountain 
ranges in the summer time, creating a system that enhances the 
\aliu' of rancii projierty and gives the farmer greater returns for 
liis products. 




Yellow Pine Logs from Ashley National Forest. 



35 



WKALTfT OF THE U TNT ATT BASIN, U1' A H 

Hydro-Carbons 

Tlu" toiinago of gilsonito in the Uintali Basin is estimated at 
tliiiiy-two million tons. This does not include Elaterite, Wurtzil- 
ite, Weidgerite, Tabbyite, Ozocerite and other members of the 
liydro-carbon family. The estimated value of hydro-carbons in 
the ITintah Basin is seA'en billion dollars. 

Scientists have discovered that there are twenty-six members 
of the hydro-carbon family, and that the total by-products will 
exceed fifty. At the eastern boundary of the Uintah Basin as- 
phaTtite deposits begin and extend westward to Fort Duchesne 
and Pariette, and then on to the elaterite deposits of Indian, Lake 
and Sam's caiions, fifty miles southwest of Fort Duchesne; the 
total area being estimated at about ten thousand square miles. 
The value of gilsonite is about $40.00 per ton, and the value of 
elaterite $65.00 per ton. 

A large acreage of land containing these deposits is owned by 
the Gilson Asphaltum Company, and the American Asphalt Asso- 
ciation. Many locations, liowever, have been made by other in- 
dividuals, and a number of companies have been incorporated. 

The consumption has increased at the rate of fifty per cent 
in the last eight years, and there seems to be possible increase 
in the production of tree rubber. These hydro-carbons are now 
being manufactured into a mineral rubber. It unites perfectly 
with the tree rubber, thus permitting a very large reduction in 
the amount of the latter used, cheapening its cost. Other by- 
products of gilsonite and elaterite are paints, enamels, varnishes 
and roofings, which are acid and alkali proof. 

From Weidgerite is made a special marine paint. One of tlie 
most valuable by-products of this material is Icthyol, used by the 
medical profession and on sale in drug stores. This by-product 
is found only, as far as is known, in one other place in the world, 
the Ural mountains in Austria. From Tabbyite. paint is also made 
and from Ozocerite paraffine wax. 

Second grade gilsonite is used in the manufacture of paving 
cement, by melting it Avith petroleum residue, and mixing it with 
ground asphaltic limestone, and the requisite amount of sand. 
Gilsonite is also manufactured into varnishes, lacquers, water- 
proof paint for guns, gun carriages, and steel and woodwork of 
every description known to ship building. When manufactured 
into paint for ships' bottoms, it prevents barnacles from attaching 
themselves, and it is likely to be largely used for this purpose for 
battleships. It is also used for pipe coatings, reservoir coatings, 
lioorings, roofings and railroad coatings. 

Hydro-Carbon may be used for preventing electrolytic action 
on iron plates of ships' bottoms; coating barbed Avire fencing; 
coating sea-walls of brick ami nuisonry ; coating paving brick. 

37 




> ° 



ui-:.\L'rii oi-' iiii': iixtaii i; asin. itaii 

;iriil-|ir()(il lining Nil' cliciii iiM I tniiks: i-tinlin^ |iitili; iii.^iiliil iiij;' 
clci'tric wires: smokcst ;ick iiaiiit ; cdntili^' |)()lcs. |i()sts ;iihI tics; 
liibrii'ant t'oi- lica\y iiKicliincry ; t('i('(l()-|)r(i(il pile coatinir; covci'- 
iiiy w oo(l-l)lock ]i:i\iiii^: l)in(l('|- pitch loi- ciiliii in niakini;' ci^ycttc 
and hiifjuctte coal. 

Tlie Elateritc, Wurt/.ilitc. Tahbyitc. Ai-i;\ilitc and otluM- ma- 
terials of like nature are used to make flexible and lieat-piool 
varnishes or paints, wliich owing to their great resistance to acids, 
alkalies, fumes and vapor attacks, and to their elasticity for cdii- 
tiaction and expansion, they are invaluable for coating slnift and 
tunmd timbers, for painting hemp and wire hoisting rojx's. pump 
columns, pipes, cluiins, ore cars, and all steel and iron woik where 
the surfaces are exposed. Also for coating vats, tanks and ]ian 
co\ers used in chlorination works, smelters and relineries. and in 
the cj'anide process. ( )n iion work it prevents corosion. and ic- 
sists great heats. On woodwoik it prevents absoi|)tion and delies 
the elements. 




IMiotn liy (leiirse L. Ueiim, l>. iV: It. i:. R. K. 



Oats in Ashley Valley, near Vernal, Utah — Oats yield in Basin as high as 
100 busels to acre. Average price, $1.50 per hundred pounds. 



39 




Alfalfa and Sweet 
Clover Seed 



A picture of the 
Walker trophy is 
printed on this 
page. This trophy 
was won by Uintah 
basin alfalfa seed, 
wliich took first 
prize at the Uintah 
Basin Fair, the 
Utah State Fair, 
and the National 
Irrigation Congress, 
in which twenty- 
six states competed, 
'llie seed was raised 
by George Smith, 
of Myton. His farm 
is located in tlie 
Lake Fork country. 

Soil and climatic 
ciinditions are ideal 
for alfalfa seed. The 
average yield is 
about six bushels 
111 the acre, though 
occasionally twice 
and three times that 
amount is raised. 

The price of the 
seed is from 10 to 
l-54c per pound. 
Figuring 60 pounds 
to the bushel, an 
acre sliould yield 
to the farmer 36U 
pounds, which give 
him $36 at the rate 
of 10c per pound. 
No water should be 
used after June 20. 
To insure the best 
crop tlie seed should 
be planted in rows, 
ti) allow cultivation 
bi-lucen the rows 
and to admit of 



plenty of sunshine 
on the plant. Seed 
may be planted in 
the fall or spring. 

A few years ago 
the average farmer 
was afraid of the 
sweet clover. In 
fact, he was as 
an-\ious to get rid 
of it as he was the 
Kussian thistle or 
H!rable weed. But 
loday he is Just as 
an.vious to have it 
grow. The sweet or 
bull clover yields 
more seed to the 
acre and is a more 
certain crop than 
alfalfa seed. And, 
what is better still, 
the price of the seed 
is higher. Sweet 
clover will grcnv 
where nothing else 
will grow, and it is 
said to make a bet- 
ter fertilizer than 
alfalfa for the rea- 
.son tlie roots are 
larger and longer. 
Not only that, the 
liay, when plowed 
under, quickly 
enriches the soil. 
Sweet clover comes 
unce from the seed 
and once from the 
roots. It is claimed 
that clover, if cut 
at the right time, 
makes hay for win- 
ter feed tliat will 
tempt a cow away 
from a stack first 
cutting alfalfa. 

There has been a 
big demand of late 
for the seed. 



I — Exhibit at First Uintah Basin Fair, Myton, 1910. 

2 — Walker Trophy, awarded for best alfalfa seed. 

3 — Baled Alfalfa, on ranch of D. D. Carter, near Roosevelt. 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN. H T A TT 

Oil in the Basin 

The oil output of the Basin will one day be enormous, be- 
cause of the high grade and immense quantity. The oil fields arc 
attracting capital from the East and West. Tlie experts are con- 
stantlj' coming and going and their reports are most flattering. 
There are numerous wells scattered throughout the land. In Cali- 
fornia, whenever a vein of asplialtum, .six inches in thickness, 
tapering to the thinness of a knife blade, is discovered, there is 
sure to be oil underneath. There are thousands of such veins here 
and the geological conditions are somewhat similar to those in 
that state. 

The Rangeley oil field is not in that part of the Uintah Basin 
shown in the map in this booklet, but is so near that a discussion 
of it is necessary. It is situated in Raven park, in the extreme 
uortliwestern part of Rio Blanco County, Colorado, 10 to 15 miles 
from the Utah line, the eastern boundary of the Basin in Utah. 
Tlie field occupies a basin which is a broadened portion of the 
lower White River valley. Rangeley postoffice, from which the oil 
held takes its name, is the center of the scattering settlement 
along the immediate valley of the river, which skirts the southern 
margin of the Basin. The town is 23 miles from Dragon, Utah. 

The color of the Rangeley oil is a clear bright red, with strong 
green fiourescence, closely resembling that of many of the Penn- 
sylvania oils, although perhaps slightly darker than the average. 
The odor is like that of kerosene, much resembling that of a 
refined oil. It is apparently free from sulphur. 

It has been suggested that the Rangeley field may be com- 
pared to the Kansas-Oklahoma oil and gas fields. In those dis- 
tricts, the oil, though occurring in much older formation geolog- 
ically, is said to be found in sandstone, interbedded with shale, 
in linticular bodies or completely enclosed reservoirs. 

The Colorado-Pacific Development company and the Emerald 
Oil company, the latter of Vernal, have done the principal work 
in the district. The Colorado-Pacific people have sunk 30 to 35 
wells and the Emerald people, 11 to 12. One of the wells of the 
I'oriner company has been sunk to a depth of nearly 5,000 feet. 
In the Emrald wells it is said that oil is standing to a depth of 
300 feet. 

The Uintah Development Company, composed largely of Cali- 
fornia capitalists, has been operating near Vernal for several 
years, and has expended more than $100,000. Indications are 
very incouraging. 

In 1913 E. H. Corse and others of St. Louis and Chicago, 
located more than 150,000 acres of oil land a few miles south of 
Vernal. At the time of going to press with this booklet no de- 
velopment work had been done. 

41 




To|) — Yellow Transparent Apples, raised by S. P. Dillman, Vernal, Utah. 
Center — Melons, from George Slaugh's ranch on Green River, near Jensen. 
Bottom — Prize Winners, fruit and corn, Uintah Basin Fair. 



WKALM'II OF THE I' I NT A II I'. ASIN. irPAll 

Story of Wolf River Apples 

A t'niit grower of tiic MmsI was making iiKiiiirics about ilic 
adaptability of tliis I'ouiitry to tlu- i)r()(liU't ion of a|)|il(s. Tlic 
man witli tlic land to sell cxliibitcd a Wolf Itivrr apple. The 
eastern man insisted tliat it was artilicial and would not be con- 
vinced to the conti'ary until lie liad tasted it. A fiiiit dealer 
from the L'intah Jiasin was in Salt Lake during State l''air and 
Cliurch conference. He asked one of the leading merchants on 
^lain Street to allow him to use a part of the window space for 
the exhibition of sonu' apples. Tiie merchant indignantly refused. 
Tlie fruit dealer from the Basin reached down into the dicss suit 
case and pulled out a Wolf River. The merchant's eyes bulged 
out in astonishment. He ha<l never seen the like belore. A 
space in the window was immetliatcly given for tlie display. 

All fruit growers know that tdimatic conditions, soil, watei'. 
sunshine, elevation, and the general lay of the land enter into the 
giowth and development of the perfect apple with the i icii. 
bright color. 

The climate here is unexccdlcd in any part of tlie \\'est. The 
average temperature during the fruiting .season is close to !l(l. The 
sun shines 325 days in each yeai-. The only wind to speak of is 
in the spring time, and e\'en then there is but very little. In the 
summer, fall and winter there is seldom a breeze. Such tondi- 
tions assui'e hiin, strong skins and bright, deep c(dois. Intiiisc 
heat has a tendency to burn and wrinkle the skin. The altitude, 
averaging 5,500 feet, gives a div atinos])here. The country with 
the damp atmosphere jjroduces sour ap))les with poor coloring. 
The country is sheltered at the Mcst and northwest by high moun- 
tains. In fact, it is sheltered on all sides and the orchards are 
thus protected from the late killing frosts of tlie spring and the 
early killing fi'osts of the autumn. Tin' sub-soil consists of a 
[jorous formation. With the long, pleasant autumn weather, the 
wood of the trees has ample time in which to ripen and the sting 
of winter is not felt. The water is pure and abundant. There 
has never been a failure in the apple croj). The fruit is fi-ec fr(Mn 
disease and pests, such as blight, and crown gall, woolly, black or 
green aphis, and there are but few worms. Fungus, owing to the 
di'y climate, is not in evidence. The variety of apples is numer- 
ous. The most commonly grown are: autumn. Wolf Kiver. U'eal- 
thy; winter, Gano, Ben Davis, .lonathan, Winesap. Stavman 
Winesap. X. W^. Greening, Bellflowcr: summer, ^'(dh)w Tianspaient, 
Asti-achan. "Red -Tune. 

The apple is by no iiHMiis the exclusive fruit raised. Fears, 
])i-unes. ]ilunis. peaches, apricots, strawbei'ries, raspberries and 
otliei- fruits are grown in abundance. The soil, in many ])arts of 
the country, is suited to laising peaches, but it is not ically a 
peach climate. 

43 




:^ 9V -i; ^. ^.>\$v]CTyv5ii?T\ . ^ •'^ ' 



O f- 




n .. v.. wu 









Vv V o /^ / /V G , 








t>E: 






W i: A 1> 'I' 11 OK THE IT NT AH I'. A S T X. UTAH 

Indians and Indian Land 

Tlicro are 1.200 rtc Iiuliiiiis in tlic riiitali liasiii. A Iar<,'(' 
majority of them live in tliat i>art ol' tlu' country known as tiic 
former I'intali Indian reservation. Tliese Indian.s are divided into 
Hm-e tribes, the Wluterivers, lintahs and Uncompahgres. A 
large number of them are self-s>ipporting. while others are de- 
pendent. A fe\v are making money in eattle and sheep. The 
Indian is gradually improving and devidoping. but he will never 
reach good eitizeiislii]). 'i'he Indian agency is located at Foi't 
Duchesne, and the (h-partim-nt is using every ett'ort for the better- 
ment of the red man. In 1911 Congress appropriated .$3,;iOO,000 to 
pay oft' a claim against the United States in favor of the Confeder- 
ated Utes. This money has been placed to the credit of the Utes. 
and is to bear interest at the rate of 4% per annum. The ex- 
penditures are to be made at the discretion of the Secretary of 
the Interior. It is proposed to spend a great deal in the improve- 
ments of the Indian farms, in the jmrchase of horses and tlie 
((piipment of farms. A number of modern houses and barns 
lia\(' I'ecently been erected. 

Uefore the reservation Avas thrown open to entry in 1005 the 
Indians were allotted 112,000 acres of laml. Immediately the De- 
partment of the Interior began the construction of canals for 
these lands ami up to the spring of 1014 approximately $850,000 
h;id been expended on this \\oik. Today more than 140 miles of 
main canals are ready for use and will supply water for most 
of this land. About 45,000 acres is known as "dead," and non- 
com[)etent Indian land. From time to time this land lias been 
olfered for sale to the highest biddei'. pioviding the l)id is n(jt less 
than the appraised value, which ranges from $10 to $30 per acre, 
including carrying ca])acity in the canal and a right to the water 
tiling, which is first class. Arrangements have been made whereby 
the purchaser may pay one fourth cash and the balant'C in one. 
two Ol- tliree years. Several thousand acres of the land lias been 
sold and more will be offered from time to time. 

A large acreage of Indian land can be leased on reasonable 
terms. The man who docs not care to purchase' land at this 
time, wlio wo\ild like to secure land for farming would do w(dl 
to investigate this leasing proposition. Full information about 
purchasing or leasing Indian land will be furnished gladly by the 
Indian agent at Fort Duchesne. Utah. The prospective pur- 
chaser of Indian land may and should see it before hand. Teams 
and ii-uides will be furnished at the agencv free of charge. 



47 






%^^ 

^:-^'', 



HUNTING AND FISHING 

There are hundreds of lakes in the moun- 
tains where the game mountain trout revels 
in his glory, and there is a regular cobweb 
of rivers and creeks filled with the speckled 
beauty. The Moon Lake, to the northwest, 
is one of the most famous resorts in the 
Basin. Nearby is Brown Duck Lake and the 
Yellowstone country. Lakes in the Baldy 
Mountains are favorite spots. Streams in the 
lower country are filled with white fish, cat- 
fish, hump-backs and suckers. Ideal camping 
places are to be found. The mountain alti- 
tude attains to heights of nearly 14,000 feet. 

'Tis the huntsman's paradise. In the 
higher country deer, elk, bear and other game 
is found. In the lower country grouse, sage 
chickens, quail, ducks and geese. 

There are numerous ideal spots which 
would make glad the eye of the tourist and 
sportsman. In the Upper Duchesne valley, 
near the town of Stockmore, there are many 
waim springs, which remain at the same 
temperature summer and winter. It is a 
mineral water, and the Indians go for miles 
to get what they call "medicine" water. 

The many little hamlets at the foot or 
base of this mountain system contain small 
stores and trading posts, where all kinds of 
mountain equipment, guides, horses, etc., can 
be obtained at reasonable figures. 




-Bear trapped in Uintah Mountains by Ashley National Forest 
Rangers, Photo by Wm. M. Anderson, Vernal, Utah. 2 — Scene 
on Rock Creek, Photo by L. H. Allan, Vernal, Utah. 3 — Fishing 
in Ashley Creek, near the Gorge, Photo by Charles J. Neal, 
Vernal, Utah. 



WEALTH OF T H E U I N T AH BASIN. U T A H 

Hints to Homeseekers 

Every citizen of tlie United States, over the age of 21, is en- 
titlfd to make entry upon government land, under the homestead 
law. .\ married woman, upon whom depends the support and 
iiKiiiitenaiice of the family, is entitleii to make entry. 

Tlu' liomesteader who filed upon les.s than 160 acres and made 
pioof is entitled to make an additional filing. Residence must be 
established and maintained just as in the case of the original lil- 
ing, unless the tract adjoins the original tract. The homesteader 
is allowed six months from the date of filing, to establish resi- 
dence. Before he may make final proof he must reside upon the 
hiud for fourteen consecutive months and must improve and culti- 
vate the land. At the time of filing, the homesteader is required 
to pay the government the sum of $16 on 160 acres. When 
final proof is made he is required to pay the government $1.25 
per acre and $6 fees. An absence from the homestead of not to 
exceed six months may be allowed providing the money earned is 
expeiuled in improvements on the land. Fourteen months in 
which to make final proof is not compulsory. 

By the act of June 6, 1912, the period of residence, necessary 
to be shown in order to entitle the homesteader to patent, is 
reduced from five to three years, and the period within which 
liomestead entry may be completed is reduced from seven to five 
years. The three-year period of residence is fixed, not from the 
date of entry, but from the time of establishing actual permanent 
residence upon the land. 

Any person who, prior to February 3, 1911, made entry under 
the homestead or desert laws, but who, subsequently to such 
entry, from any cause, shall have lost, forfeited or abandoned 
the same, shall be entitled to the benefits of the homestead or 
desert laws, as though such former entry had not been made and 
any person applying for a second homestead or desert entry shall 
furnisli a description and date of former entry, provided that 
applicant's former entry was not canceled for fraud and provided 
lie did not relinquish for a valuable consideration in excess of the 
liling fees paid by him on his original entry. 

Under the Desert Act a citizen is entitled to 320 acres of land. 
Residence upon the land is not required, but the entryman must 
improve the land to the amount of $1 per acre per year for three 
years. At the end of the fourth year he must have the irrigable 
portion of the land under cultivation and irrigation. The entryman 
must be a resident of the state in which the land is located. If 
at the end of the fourth year, the entryman has failed to get 
water on the land and shows that he has complied with the re- 
(luirements of the law, he may have an extension of time not 
to exceed three years. 

49 




ri:i>t(i liy U. Culdcr. \'ciiijl, flali. 
A Load of Cauliflower Raised in a Vernal Garden. 




I'hoto Ijy (iec.rge L. Ream. I). & K. C. R, K. 

McAndrews Lake, on Uintah Railroad, North Slope Book Cliff Mountains. 

This road crosses Baxter Pass, making sixty-six degree 

curves and seven and one-half per cent grades. 



50 



WKALTJl OF TIIK UINTAH I'.ASIX. I'l'AII 

I'luler the Carey act, eaeli state in tlie arid regions is allowed 
to dispose of 2,000,000 acres of land to settlers. The dis|)Ositi()n 
is to be made by the State Jjund Commissioners. A period of ten 
years is allowed in whieli to reclaim and get the land under eulti- 
yation. Tlie final jjroof is similar to that of desert claims. The 
purchaser is not required to reside in the state where the land is 
located. 

An Act of Congress proyided for the making of lioniestead 
enti'ies for areas of not exceeding 320 acies. This act is known 
as the Enlaiged Homestead Law, and the land must be designated 
by the Secretary of the Interior as non-mineral, non-timbered and 
non-irrigable. Full information as to this and other land laws 
nuty be obtaiiu'd from tlu' registei' of the land ollices in Salt 
Lake or A'ernal. 

Homestead land in tlie L'intah Basin is getting scarcer all 
the while. There are many good desert land opportunities in the 
Ashley yalley and on tlie former I'intah Indian reseryation. An 
irrigation company, recently organized at Vernal, has filed on 
Hood waters in the I^intah mountains and in the near future 
reseryoirs will be built. Canals will be constructed to carry 
water for 12.(t()() or 15.000 acres of land in the southern and 
I'astern jiait of the valley. Thcic are good desert land oppor- 
tunities under the Ouray ^'alley and Colorado Park Triigation 
companies on the former reservation. 

The homeseeker need not depend entirely upon homestead 
or desert entry, Carey act, state land or enlarged homestead. 
There are thousands of acres of land for sale by Indians and 
whites, and the prices and terms will suit. Land and water can 
be bought from $10 an acre and uj). Land without water can be 
bought for as low as $2.50 per acre. Any real estate man or 
merchant adyertising in this booklet will gladly give information 
as will the secretaries of the commercial clubs of the following- 
cities and towns: Salt Lake, Vernal. Roosevelt, Myton, Duchesne, 
Boneta. Setonah. Cedarview. Lapoint. Randlett. Ouray, Ilaydeii. 




Indian Bear Dance — Festivities at White Rocks, Utah, celebrating the 
coming of spring. 



51 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

Schools and Churches 

The public schools of Utah are second to none. The per- 
centage of illiteracy in the Basin and in the state is 2.5. Tlie 
percentage of illiteracy, native whites, 0.4. School population of 
the Basin is 5,200 and of the state 120,000. A recent law, pro- 
viding for the consolidation of all school districts of each county 
into one district, seems to be working well. In the spring of 
1914 Uintah county districts were consolidated and it is ex- 
pected Wasatch county will soon follow suit. Among the leading 
institutions in the state are: U. of U. at Salt Lake, Agricultural 
College at Logan, Brigham Young University at Provo. The 
leading institutions in the Basin are: Uintah Academy (L. D. S.) 
and Willcox Academy (Congregational) at Vernal. 

People of all kinds of creeds and faiths dwell in the confines 
of this Basin, but there are only four church organizations, the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Congregational, 
Episcopal and Presbyterian. The Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons, 
as they are commonly known, outnumber the other denominations 
more than two to one. All the denominations mentioned, except 
the Presbyterians, have handsome church buildings, and that 
denomination is now erecting a house of worship in Myton. The 
Episcopal church has houses of worship in Vernal ancl Duchesne. 
At Vernal this church has a handsome brick building, "The 
Episcopal Lodge," for the accommodation of girls and young 
women attending school. The Mormon Tabernacle at Vernal, 
dedicated in 1907, was constructed at a cost of $40,000. The new 
Uintah Academy building cost $30,000. An addition is soon to 
be built for the Willcox Academy. At Roosevelt, a site of 22 
acres has been purchased for High School District No. 2, Wasatch 
county, and a building to cost perhaps $40,000 is to be erected 
this vear. 




riioto by L. U. Allan, Vernal, Utah. 
Beauty Spot on Rock Creek. 

52 



W i: A T- T H OF THE U T N T A T[ BASIN, Tl T A 1 1 




Sego Lily 
State Flower of Utah 



The Honey Industry 

The honey bee industry qf tlic 
Uintah Basin is of a great deal more 
importance than many suppose. Last 
year's crop brought about $40,000 
into this Basin from other states. 
That's worth while. This industry 
represents an investment of $60,000. 
There are about forty apiaries con- 
taining about 5,000 colonies or hives 
of bees. Last year they averaged 
better than two cans or 120 pounds 
of honey to the colony. This is a 
low estimate. That means 10,000 
cans, 600,000 pounds or 300 tons of 
lioney. 

The 40 apiaries are owned by 2.> 
men. Bees are free from disease and 
the association will endeavor to keep 
them that way by discouraging shipment of colonies from other 
parts of the country where there is mvich foul brood. 

An increase in the average of alfalfa and sweet clover will 
result in the increase of apiaries, and in the near future the 
honey crop should be worth $100,000 annually. A large part of 
the honey shipment is made by wagon haul to the nearest rail- 
road station. A number of the beekeepers and merchants have 
recently been shipping by parcel post. 

Uintah Basin honey has no superior. It wins the prizes wlicn 
placed upon exhibition at county, state and world's fairs. More 
tlian once has it been awarded first prize at the annual convention 
of tlie International Bee Keepers' Association. This is one of the 
most ideal sections in the United States for bee culture. The 
climatic conditions make it such. Sweet clover and alfalfa are 
tlie two principal sources from which the busy denizens of the 
hive gather the delicious nectar that is ripened into this product 
of high quality. Man}^ farmers of this country who do not pre- 
tend to make a specialty of bees, produce a great deal of honey 
for the market. The specialtj^ of a certain farmer is alfalfa. 
The blossom of that growth contains the very best nectar. As a 
result many farmers are raising bees and making money from 
alfalfa and honey at the same time. 

Those who know what good honey really is, will appreciate 
the fact that the article in tliis Basin is so heavy bodied that it 
weighs twelve and one-half pounds to the gallon. The color is 
what is known to the trade as "water white" and the flavor is 



53 



WKALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

moiT (Icliglit fill tliaii that of tlio imicli-i)raisod wliitt^ cIovit honey 
of tho casteni states. A little -wliile ago the honey from one of 
the well-know 11 apairies in the Ashley valley found its way 
through the cliaiiiicis of trade ti) llamhurg, (xei'uuiny. Tlie dealer 
took the atldicss frcnn the lahid and wrote to the manager of the 
same apiary to aseeitain if lie could obtain honey from that 
source regularly. Toda>' the honey from this ]?asin finds its way 
to most parts of the rnitcil States and to many foreign countries. 
William rowell. (jf, I'liion. enjoys the distinction of being the 
hist man to import bees into the Uintah Basin, ■which he did some 
time during the early eighties. His first colony, however, proved 
to be affected with the dread disease, "foul brood;" this colony of 
bees, together w itli all lixtuies. was consigned to the flames, and 
since that time there lias not been another case of "foul brood." 
The dealer wlio furnished the bees to JNIr. Powell replaced them 
free of charge. The next importation of bees was made soon after 
that of Mr. Powell by Bishop George Freestone and consisted of 
three colonies. William Ashton also brought one or two colonies 
of bees from liis old home in Pleasant Grove. Utah County. An- 
other impoitation was made in 1887 by C. C. Bartlett, who also 
brought three colonies. Those few hives of bees were the small 
foundation ujiou which one of our most protitalilc and proiiiisiii;^' 
industries has been built. 




Pliiito by (ienrge L. Heaiii. I>. iii: K. (J. K. R. 
Part of Apiary of Dan H. Hillman, Vernal, Utah. 



54 



\v E A T. 'I' II OF Till': r I \ I' All I! A s r N. r r a ir 
Sheep, Horses and Cattle 

Slicc|) raisini;' is tl:r |iriiici|)al li\c stdi'k iiidustry. Tlic csli- 
niatc(l iiuiiihcr of licad ot slicc|i in the Ijoumhi lies of (lie llasiii i- 
i^OO.DDO ami tlic annual wimjI dip will average 1 ,()()().(«)() poiind.s, 
'riic lloi'k-inastt'is arc <;ra(lually ini|iro\iny the breed and tlu'i-c is 
tenfold more nioiiey made in the business today than in former 
yeais. The best breed of bucks to be seeuicd are imported from 
yeai- to year. The prevailing breed is the l)c Laine. the Cotswold 
and till' Ramboulette. costino- all the way from .^T") to $100 per 
head. Sheep associatioirs lia\'e been oiyani/ed in various parts 
of the Basin and throroughbreds aic beiny sii'iipcd in by the car 
load lot. 

There are two distinct classes ot sheefi — the mutton sheep and 
the wool sheep. On the former of these the wool is not so thick 
oi- heavy and the amount lost to the owner in wool is made up by 
the gain in mutton. While the wool of this class is lighter, it is 
longer and for that reason the animal is kept away fi'om the tim- 
ber to prevent loss from undergrowth. The ^lerino wool is much 
Inu'r in (puility and thicker, though shorter. This class of shee]i 
lan pasture in heavily timbered country without loss of wool. A 
large amount of line tpiality wool is exported for the reason it is 
far superior to that of many other sections of the \A'est. The cli- 
mate is very dry and thei'e is but little wind, especially in the 
winter season, to disturb the sands and dust, which is so damag- 
ing to wool in other countries. The owners here are experts in 
the business and they take every precaution to avoid loss and 
exert every eflTort to produce the best. The grazing is ideal both 
in summer and wintei'. Most of the snows fall in the mountains 
and the winter snows are necessary for summer grazing. The (di- 
matic conditions on the winter ranges are most always favorable 
and there is seldom much suffering and loss. Once in a great 
while the flockmaster has to feed hay. 

The public grazing lands are usually fully occupied and for 
awhile it seemed as if there would be a limit to sheep raising. Of 
recent years, however, the farmer is paying more attention to the 
industry and luimerous flocks fi'om 100 to 500 can be seen scat- 
tei'ed over the country. The farmers figure that a surplus of 
alfalfa can be fed to sheep to good advantage. 

-Although the cattle industry was at one time far ahead of the 
>hri p industry, the decrease in the piice of feeders at that time 
practicaly forced the cattlemen out of business and there is now 
(inly a remnant of the former vast herds that roamed the hills. 
Instead of the larger herds of cheaper cattle of former days, 
there are now smaller herds of better grades and more attention 
is paid to the pioduction of milk and butter. There are ideal 
spots in this great country foi' dairy farms, and riches are await- 




Photo furnished by William M. Anderson, Supervisor Ashley National Forest. 



There are 200,000 head of sheep in the Uintah Basin — Annual wool clip 
about 1,600,000 pounds. 



W E A L T IT O F Til ]■: U I X T A 1 1 I'. A 8 I X. U T A H 

iiig the iiK'ii who L'ligagt' in that busiiic'Srt. On another pagi' \\ ill 
be found an article on dairy farming. 

There was a time when not a horse in the Uintah Basin 
weighed 1,"200 ])oiinds. The "bad lands" were dotted with Indian 
ponies, which were gradually thinned out by shipping or killing. 
The government started the improvement of horses for the In- 
dians. Today no country can boast of better horses than are 
owned here. The largest horse in the Basin weighs perhaps 1,900 
pounds, while the average work horse will tip the scales at 1,500 
to 1,600 pounds. ^lany horses, crossed with pure bred sires and 
native mares are hardy and healthy, the sire giving the size. 

With such an ancestry as that and with unexcelled climatic 
and range conditions it is no wonder the Uintah Basin horse is 
in demand today on all the markets, especially in the East and 
South. There are 22 pure bred stallions in the Ashley valley 
alone, and many more mares. The stallions are divided as fol- 
lows: Percherons, 10; Clydesdales, 2; Shires, 3; Standard-breds. 
5; Thoroughbreds, 2. x\ll these are registered. In addition to 
these there are dozens of "grades." "Siegbert," a famous Percli- 
eron stallion brought in here a few years ago at a cost of $5,000, 
took second premium at the St, Loius World's Fair. It is said 
this horse has 500 sons and daughters in the Basin. The mule 
crop is growing. There are two good Jacks in Ashley valley. 




Photo by Meyer, Vernal, Utali. 
Feeding Alfalfa Hay in Southern Part of Ashley Valley to Colorado Cattle. 



^YEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, IT AH 



ji^^^l^''^^^'-"^ -m^: ■■ ''^ 


W 


* 






^/A 



Hogs and Poultry 



One hundred thousand dollars annually is the amount of 
money that lias been sent out of the Basin for meats and canned 
goods. The business men and farmers have long since realized 
that the biggest part of this money should remain at home, and 
for the last few years thousands of pounds of meat have been 
cured by raisers and dealers of hogs in various parts of the 
country. Plans are now well under way for a big packing and 
cold storage plant at Vernal. With pure water, pure air, plenty 
of sunshine and soil that will produce hog feed there is no more 
ideal hog country in the West. Disease is practically unknown, 
and while cholera is mowing them down in other places. Uintah 
Basin hogs are flourishing. 

If the turkejr is raised in the Uintah Basin it finds a ready 
market in Denver, Salt Lake, Ogden and other nearby cities, 
^lany farmers are making big money in turkeys and chickens. 
One wonders how there is a profit to be made when shipping 
facilities are so poor, until he recalls that Uncle Sam"s parcel 
post will handle large packages. The favorite turkey in the 
Basin is the Bronze, and many have been shipped in during the 
past few years. The breeds of chickens include the Bufl" and 
Crystal Orphington, the Rhode Island Red, the Cornish Indian 
Game. At the Uintah County Poultry Association exhibit in 
Vernal last winter were many pens of fancy chickens. But the 
Ashley valley is not alone in the poultry industrj'. Farmers in 
all parts of the Basin are raising fine turkeys and chickens for 
tlie market. Occasionally there is almost a poultry famine in 
the towns, as the outside demand cleans up everything that is 
marketable. 




Plintd by I'liarles Carter, .Jr., Venial, Utah. 

Hunting Deer in Sowers Canon in October — Saw Tooth Mountains in 
distance. 

58 



WEALTH OP^ THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

Towns, and Territory Tributary to 
Each 

VERNAL DISTRICT 

Topography. — This section comprises the valleys of the Ash- 
ley and Brush creek and the Jensen-Alhandra section of the 
Green River valley, together with the adjacent mountainous 
areas, and unirrigated lands. 

Historical. — Ashley Valley was first settled by white men 
during Fremont's early explorations of the West, and was 
named for one of the early white explorers. 

It was first settled near old Ashley by Capt. P. Dodds, in the 
early 70's, soon followed by other pioneers who settled along the 
Ashley creek, the largest influx of settlers occurring about 1879. 

Soil. — The soil of this section varies from a light sandy loam 
to a heavy clay well adapted to the production of alfalfa, ce- 
reals, vegetables and all kinds of fruits grown in this latitude. 

Live Stock. — Vernal is the center of a very extensive live 
stock industry, consisting principally of slieep, cattle and horses. 

The care exercised in the selection and breeding of live stock 
is very noticeable; the Cotswold and Ramboulette sheep, the Jer- 
sey, Durham and Hereford cattle and the Percheron and other 
leading breeds of horses present many of the finest specimens to 
be found anywhere. 

The excellent summer ranges in the Uintah mountains, the 
fine winter ranges in the foot hills and benches, and the facilities 
for winter feeding aff"orded by the valleys combine to make this 
an ideal section for stock growing. 

Agriculture. — As agriculture becomes more intensive, the 
wonderful possibilities of the soil of the section become more ap- 
parent. 

Wheat, oats, barley, rye, alfalfa and vegetables of all kinds 
grow to perfection; the yield is heavy and the quality unex- 
celled. 

Horticulture. — AVhile the lack of transportation has prevented 
the growing of fruit on a commercial scale, the many fine private 
orchards have demonstrated the possibilities of this section as a 
fruit-raising district; all kinds of fruits common to the tem- 
perate zone thrive here and produce lavishly of the finest colored 
and flavored fruit grown anywhere, Avhile certain localities pro- 
duce peaches of excellent size, color and flavor. 

Minerals. — The hills to the north and northwest are seamed 
with veins of excellent coal, while the hills immediately to the 
west contain large deposits of asphaltum. which has been ex- 
tensively used in paving sidewalks in Vernal. The Uintah moun- 
tains contain extensive deposits of copper, lead, gold, silver and 
limited quantities of vanadium and uranium. 

Irrigation. — The Ashley Valley proper is watered by the 
Ashley Upper, the Ashley Central, the Rock Point and Steinaker 
ditches. Tlie valley of Crush creek is comparatively narrow until 
near its mouth, so that a number of private ditches are used to 
irrigate the farms in this section. The Burns Bench and Upper 
Burns Bench canals irrigate an extensive tract lying on the south 

59 



WEALTH C) F T II K UINTAH BAST X. U T A H 

side of Brusli creek and west side of Green river, using Mater 
from Brush creek. 

Extensive reservoir systems have been phxnned for tiie 
Ashley Valley. 

Vernal. — County seat of Uintah county, was founded in 18S2. 
and has grown steadily ever since, until it is now a metropolitan 
little city of 1,200 inhabitants, elevation 5,330 feet, and is the 
most important commercial center in northeastern Utah. United 
States land office located here. The city has water works, elec- 
tric lights, telephone and telegraph, daily auto mail service with 
Watson, the terminus of the Uintah railroad, and Colton, on the 
D. & R. G. ; many excellent public buildings and private resi- 
dences, and will soon have a $50,000 Federal building to house the 
United States land office, postoffice and office of supervisor 
Ashley National forest. Rural delivery routes radiate from 
Vernal postoffice. Streets and sidewalks paved with asphaltum. 
Educational center. Uintah Academy, Willcox Academy, public 
schools. Public library. L. D. S., Episcopal and Congregational 
churches. Handsome court house. Orpheus hall. Uintah gym- 
nasium. Assessed valuation city property, 1914, $450,000. Popu- 
lation tributary to Vernal, 10.000. A list of business industries: 
Two banks, five general merchandise stores, one hardware store, 
three hotels, two bakeries, one creamery, four restaurants, two 
jewelry stores, one bottling works, one taxidermist, one news- 
paper, one brickyard, one shoe shop, two harness shops, two drug 
stores, two undertaking establishments, two planing mills, one 
livery stable, three meat markets, two millinery stores, one 
music store, two garages, three lodging houses, three blacksmith 
sliops. one express office, one tailor shop, local lodges I. O. 0. F. 
and W. of W., one photograph gallery, two flour mills, close to 
city; three implement and vehicle dealers, one clothing store, two 
barber shops, one tin shop, one bath house, architects, brick 
masons, painters, plasterers, real estate dealers, insurance 
agencies, dentists, civil engineers, doctors, lawyers, skating rink, 
picture show, confectionery, lumber yard, laundry. The Vernal 
Commercial Club, with eighty members, is the most successful 
organization of its kind in the state. 

Other Towns and Postoffices. — The other towns in this dis- 
trict are: Jensen, on the Green river, fourteen miles southeast 
of Vernal, at which point the state and county constructed a 
substantial steel bridge; Naples, four miles southeast of Vernal, 
on road to Jensen and Alhandra; !Maeser. three miles northwest 
of ^'el■^al. 

DEEP CREEK-WHITEROCKS DISTRICT 

Topography. — This section lies on the east side of the Uintah 
river, and consists of extensive valley and bench lands, watered 
by the Whiterocks and Deep creeks. 

Historical. — Until the opening of the Uintah Indian reserva- 
tion, in 1005. it was for the most part situated upon the Indian 
reservation and inaccessible for exploitation by the white man. 
Some efforts were made to divert water fiom the reservation to 
the adjacent bench lands, but were thwarted by tlie Iiulian 
agents. 

Whiterocks. — Seat of the Indian boarding school and for 
about forty years the agency for the Uintah and Whiteriver 

60 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN. UTAH 

Utes. is situated between the Uintah and Whiterocks, on a eoni- 
nianding site sloping rapidly to the south. Here the government 
lias expended considerable money in the construction of school, 
agency and buildings for the Avhite employes of the government. 
A trader's store, which carries a large stock of general merchan- 
dise, and a postoffice comprise the business not stricth' con- 
trolled by the Indian bureau. 

Lapoint. — This is a new townsite platted in the Deep Creek 
basin, about one mile northwest of the village of Taft, which, it 
is understood, will be removed to the new townsite. 

Soil. — The soil on the benches consists of sandy loam, in 
many places covered with cobble rock brought from the canons 
by glacial action, but Avhich produces alfalfa, timothy, vegetables 
and fruits abundantly. 

The Deep Creek valley consists principally of a rich red clay 
loam, admirably adapted to the cultivation of cereals, fruits, 
vegetables and alfalfa. 

Live Stock. — The same conditions prevail here as in Vernal 
with respect to adaptability to raising of live stock. Owing to 
the newness of the country as a white man's home, this industry 
is comparatively in its infancy. 

Agriculture. — The^ Deep Creek basin is not excelled in the 
quality of soil by any other part of northeastern Utah, and, 
although agriculture is yet in its infancy, sufficient development 
has taken place to demonstrate its fertility and adaptability to 
the production of all staple cereals, alfalfa, vegetables and 
grasses common to this section. 

Horticulture. — An orchard set out by Ed. F. Harmston on 
the grounds of the Indian boarding school at Whiterocks in 1891, 
although neglected, has demonstrated the fruit-growing possi- 
bilities. Another young orchard, on the farm of John Merkley, 
at the head of the Deep Creek basin, has demonstrated that 
peaches and apricots, as Avell as apples, can be successfully giown 
in this district. 

Minerals. — The mountains to the north are full of coal 
similar to that mined at Vernal; two mines are being operated on 
a small scale for supplying the settlers and government em- 
ploj'es. Copper, lead and other ores are found in the Uintah 
mountains near by, though never mined extensively as yet. 

Irrigation. — Irrigated by the government's Deep Creek ditch, 
the Whiterocks Irrigation Company's canal and the Ouray Valley 
canal. The latter company has filed an enlargement upon the 
government's Deep Creek ditch and extended it to cover lands in 
the Ouray Valley, east of Randlett. 

A Carey act project is planned to irrigate the higher bench 
lands. Its construction is still, however, in the future. 

RANDLETT DISTRICT 

Topography. — This section occupies the valley of the Uintah 
river, in the vicinity of Ft. Ducliesne. the bench lands to the east 
and southeast of that place and the Leland bench and lower 
Ducliesne river bottoms. 

Historical. — Ft. Duchesne was established as a militarj^ post 
in tlie early 80's and is now used as an Indian agency, same 
having been removed from Whiterocks in the spring of 1912. 
Here the government expended over $2,000,000 in improvements 
while used as a military post. The future of the place is prob- 
lematical. It should be tuiiied over to the state of Utah as a 

61 



^^^ E A L T H F T 1 1 E U I N T A II V, A S I N, U T A H 

site for a biaiu'li of the Agricultural college and agricultural 
demonstration farm. 

Randlett. — This place is situated on the west bank of the 
Uintah river about a mile above its confluence with the Du- 
chesne, and was originally located as an Indian boarding school, 
which was later consolidated with the \^'hiterocks scliool. Just 
prior to tlie opening of the reservation, in 1!)()5, the government 
caused a government townsite to be platted here. Some day this 
Avill be an important commercial center, as it commands the en- 
trance to the Duchesne Valley from the east and southeast and is 
surrounded bj' large tracts of excellent land, much of wliich is as 
yet unirrigated. 

Moffat. — Tills village was founded in 1905, just prior to the 
opening of the Uintah reservation; located three miles northeast 
of Ft. Duchesne, in the center of an extensive agricultural sec- 
tion, which will soon be developed. 

Soil. — The soil of this district varies from sandy loam on the 
benches to heavy clay and black river loam in the bottoms. 

Vegetation. — The natural vegetation of the benches is largely 
shadscale, cactus and buncli grass; of tlie river bottoms, sage- 
brush, greasewood, rabbit brusli and squaw brush, while cotton- 
wood, willow and box elder fringe the streams. 

Live Stock. — Is well adapted to raising live stock. The same 
remarks will apply as made regarding the Deep Creek section. 

Agriculture. — Owing to the wide range of soils, it is well 
adapted to the cultivation of all grains, grasses and vegetables 
grown in this latitude. 

Horticulture. — Will undoubtedly produce apples and all the 
more liardy fruits to perfection, the winters being somewhat 
colder, will perhaps not be so well adapted to peach culture as 
the Deep Creek section. 

Minerals. — Gilsonite and placer gold are the only minerals 
found in paying quantities. Much gilsonite has been shipped from 
the mines near Moffat and above Ft. Duchesne which is of an 
excellent quality. 

Irrigation. — In the country immediately tributary to Randlett 
the lands are irrigated by the United States irrigation survey 
under their Randlett townsite and Henry Jim ditches. At Moffat 
the Uintah River Irrigation Company waters the lands, and the 
large bench section to the east of Randlett is watered by the 
Colorado Park and Ouray Valley canals. The Leland bench, to 
the southwest of Randlett, containing a large area of excellent 
land, is not yet irrigated. 

ROOSEVELT DISTRICT 

Topography. — Occupies the country from the Uintah river 
Avestward and is best known as the "Dry gulch" section, and is 
made up of both valley and bench lands. The lower portion of 
the country, on the west side of Uintah river, is. however, included 
in the Randlett section. 

Soil. — The soil of this district is for the most part com- 
posed of a rich sandy loam, with more of an admixture of clay 
in the valleys, and its adaptability for culture of alfalfa, cereals, 
vegetables, especially sugar beets and potatoes, as well as fruits, 
has been demonstrated beyond a doubt. 

Vegetation. — The natural vegetation of tliis section consists, 
on the mesas, of shadscale. sagebrush, cactus and grass; in the 

63 



WEALTH OF THE UIXTAH BASIN. UTAH 

vallfys. of sagebrush, white sage, greasewood. oanaigre and rabbit 
brush; the streams are fringed with a growth of cottoiiwood. 

Live Stock. — It is especially well adapted for winter feeding 
of live stock; with better transportation facilities this will be- 
come an important industry, and while at the present time less 
interest is manifested in this business than should be the case, 
each year sees an improvement in the number and quality of the 
live stock owned. 

Agriculture. — Because of the adaptability to general agricul- 
ture and the fact that water for irrigation has been available for 
a greater length of time than elsewhere in the former reservation, 
this section has made greater advancement along this line. It is 
producing a large surplus of alfalfa hay and oats that find a 
ready market in the nearby sections which are as j^et producing 
less than the demand requires. 

With the advent of a railroad a sugar factory will be among 
the early industries to be established, as the adaptabilitj^ of the 
district to the culture of sugar beets has already attracted the 
attention of the beet sugar people. 

Horticulture. — Apples, peaches, pears, apricots, plums, cherries 
and all small fruits flourisli and bear abundantly in this section. 
A number of small orchards have demonstrated this to be a suc- 
cessful fruit section. 

Hayden. — This town is located ten miles northeast of Roose- 
velt in the midst of a section fast coming to tlie front for the 
production of live stock, dairy products and honey. Daih' mail 
from Roosevelt. 

Cedarview. — Is located six miles northwest of Roosevelt in a 
section rapidly becoming improved and noted as an agricultural, 
live stock and fruit growing district. Daily mail from Roose- 
velt. 

Neola. — Is a new town located ten miles northwest of Roose- 
velt in the midst of an extensive sagebrush bench section. Daily 
mail from Roosevelt. 

Irrigation. — Most of this district is under the sj^stem of the 
Dry Gulch Irrigation Company, which has its office at Roosevelt. 
The Indian Bench, Nephi Bench, Hayden and Neola sections are 
largely occtipied by Indian allotments, irrigated by the Bencli 
Ditch, Uintah Canal and No. 1 Canal, owned jointly by tlie Dry 
Gulch Irrigation Company and the United States government. 
Several small irrigation companies water lands in the upper sec- 
tion; for instance, the Big Six, Uintah Independent Ditch Com- 
pany, T. N. Dodd Irrigation Company and Cedarview Irrigation 
Companj-. 

In the south part of this district the New Hope Irrigation 
District owns and operates jointly with the government the Dry 
Gulch ditch. The townsite of Independence lies in the territory 
irrigated by this ditch. 

Roosevelt. — This is the largest town on the former Uintah 
Indian reservation, and is the commercial center of the Dry g>ilch 
section. It is an incor])orated town, with water works, electric 
lights, telephone exchange and excellent schools, including high 
school. Unlike several other towns on the reservation, Roosevelt 
is not a government town, but was platted by private parties in 
the spring of 1906, and, although never boomed, has had a steady 
growtli. Population, .525. Elevation. 5.050 feet. List of business 
industries: Three general merchandise stores, two meat and 
grocery stores, one farm machinery and implement store, two 
drug stores, two hotels, one bakery and restaurant, two livery and 

64 



WEALTH '>! illK nXTAH B A 8 1 X. UTAH 

feed stables, one garage, one hardware store, one furniture store, 
three bhicksmith shops, one bank, one barber shop, two civil en- 
gineers, eight real estate offices, one harness shop, one amuse- 
ment hall, two millinery stores, one roller mill. Dry Gulch Irri- 
gation Company, two doctors, one ice cream parlor, brick masons, 
plasterers, jjaperhangers. carpenters, brick manufacturers, lodges, 
1. O. O. F. and W. of W. 

MYTON DISTRICT 

Topography. — This section includes the bottoms of the Du- 
chesne river from the vicinity of Independence to the mouth of 
Antelope creek, the benches on the north and south sides of the 
Duchesne river and, for convenience in classification, the Carey 
Act lands to the southeast of Myton. 

Soil. — The soil of the Duchesne river bottoms is mostly a 
heavy clay ; that of the benches a sandy loam ; the soil on the 
south side of the river is a lighter color than that of the nortli 
side, which is a reddish loam similar to the Roosevelt and Deep 
Creek sections. 

Vegetation. — The natural vegetation of this section, in the 
river bottoms, consists of greasewood, sagebrush and rabbit 
brush; the benches, shadscale, cactus and grass; along the 
streams, cottonwood and willows abound. 

Live Stock. — This section is well adapted for the live stock 
industry; many thousands of sheep winter on the benches south 
of the river and the Carey Act lands, most of wdiich are owned 
by Heber sheep men. These ranges should feed the stock of local 
owners, thus adding materially to the wealth of this section. 

Agriculture. — So far as under cultivation, this section has 
proven to be well adapted to agriculture, the nortli bench espe- 
cially being an excellent agricultural section. This will, no 
doubt, prove equally true of the south bench and Carey Act lands 
when irrigated. The lands along the river bottoms are heavy and 
more difficult to subdue, but Avill, no doubt, in most cases, prove 
very durable soils. 

Horticulture. — A few young orchards in this section indicate 
tliat this will prove to be well adapted to growing all kinds of 
fruits, except, perhaps, peaches, which will, no doubt, thrive in 
certain localities. 

loka. — Is a postoffice located on the North bench, three miles 
nortliMest of Myton, surrounded by an excellent agricultural 
section. 

Midview. — Is located on the north side of Duchesne river, 
about six miles above Myton, and is on the D. & S. L. Ry. sur- 
vey. It is surrounded by a large area of fertile soil. This is 
sure to be a good town. ^lany men of means have purchased lots. 
It is an ideal location for a town. 

Minerals. — The only mineral of importance found in this 
section is gilsonite. which has been extensively mined at the 
Pariette and Castle Peak mines, twelve miles southeast of !Myton. 

Addenda. — The Red Cap Flat might properly be added to this 
district. It lies on the west side of Lake Fork creek, east of tlie 
P>lue bench; is a clay soil; produces alfalfa and grain successfully, 
and is under the United States Red Cap ditch, the Uteland ditch. 
Smith ditcli. Extension of Purdy ditch and Duchesne Irrigation 
Company's ditch. 

Irrigation. — :\Iue]i of tlie land in this district belongs to In- 
dians and is under the system of the I'nited States irrigation 

65 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

survey. Tlif Dry (.iilili ditch from Lake Fork, the Grey Moun- 
tain Pahoease and Myton Townsite furnish water for this Indian 
hind. The North Myton bench is under Class C canal of the Dry 
Gulch Irrigation Company. A choice area of land lies on the 
Soutli Myton bench, in Pleasant Valley and Wild Horse flats. In 
1009 a group of Colorado men organized the Myton Canal and 
Irrigation Company and began the construction of a canal. Work 
lias been carried on since that time and water is now ready for 
15,000 acres. The system will be enlarged and extended until an 
additional 12,000 acres will be covered. The water from tiiis canal 
will cost approximately $16 per acre. The company offices are 
located in Myton. The Lott canal is planned to cover a part of 
the South Myton bench as well as the Carey Act project to the 
southeast. 

Myton. — An incorporated town, located on south side of 
Duchesne river, about three miles below Lake Fork river. Govern- 
ment townsite and seat of LTnited States irrigation survey, for 
which commodious buildings have been erected. Population, 475. 
Elevation. 5,125 feet at bridge. Cement sidewalks, telephones, 
electric lights in near future, local lodges Yeomen, I. 0. 0. F. and 
W. of W., Presbyterian, L. D. S. and Episcopal churches. List of 
business industries: One bank, two weekly newspapers, one 
magazine, three farmers' supply houses, three hotels, two res- 
taurants, one opera house, one laundry, one mill and light com- 
pany, social hall, six general stores, one millinery store, two 
meat markets, one livery stable, one feed stable, one garage, two 
blacksmith shops, one auto repair and machine shop, one drug 
store and another contemplated, one hardware store, two saloons. 

LAKEFORK-BONETA DISTRICT 

Topography. — This section comprises the higher benches on 
both sides of the Lake Fork creek, with some small valleys on 
either side of said stream and the valley of the Lake Fork. 

Soil. — The soil is principally sandy loam, with occasional 
tracts of clay, and has proven its adaptability for culture of 
alfalfa, grains, vegetables and fruits. 

Vegetation. — The natural vegetation of this section is prin- 
cipally sagebrush and scattering cedars, with cactus and grass; 
the bottom of Lake Fork creek is largely covered with a growth 
of Cottonwood, willow and brush. 

Live. Stock. — Well adapted to the live stock business. The 
excellent summer ranges on the Ashley and Uintah National for- 
ests, the winter ranges available, together with the opportunity 
for raising forage for winter feeding, make this an excellent sec- 
tion for this business. 

Live stock of all kinds are particularly free from the dis- 
eases prevalent in the Eastern and Middle Western states. 

Agriculture. — The benches on botli sides of Lake Fork, which 
are a red sandy loam, covered with sagebrush, are well adapted 
to tlie culture of alfalfa, vegetables and grain; on some of the 
liigher benches potatoes and corn have been matured without any 
irrigation water. 

Horticulture. — Apples, cherries, pears, apricots and berries of 
all kinds do well, and jieaches flourish in some localities. 

Minerals. — Asplialtum has been found in the mountains to tlie 
north, and coal is known to exist in the same localities. 

Irrigation. — A large body of land on the Lake Fork bench, on 
east side of the creek, is allotted Indian lands, for which canals 

67 



^^^ 1-: a t. t b o f t m e i' i x t a h p. a s i x. i' t a h 

have been constnieted by tlie government. Tlie remainder of the 
land on east side of the creek is under the Dry Guleh Irrigation 
Company, Farmers" Iriigation (.'ompany and tlie Lake Fork Irri- 
gation Company. The lands on the west side of the creek are 
under the Lake Fork Western Irrigation Company and Farns- 
worth Canal and Reservoir Company's canals. 

Mt. Home. — Is a new town on the west side of the creek, on 
the upper bench, in the midst of an excellent agricultural section, 
which is rapidly becoming improved. Mail from Duchesne. 

Boneta. — Is a town on the lower bench,, on west side of Lake 
Fork, surrounded by an excellent agricultural section. Mail from 
Duchesne. 

Winn. — Postoffice on the Purple bench, in a new but excel- 
lent agricultural section. Mail from Duchesne. 

Bluebell. — Is a town on the bench about a mile west of Dry 
Gulch creek, in an excellent .agricultural section. Mail from 
Duchesne. 

Banner. — A new townsite in Sec. 31, Tp. 1 S., R. 3 W., sur- 
rounded by excellent agricultural country. Has a bright future 
before it. 

Altonah. — A new town on the Dry Gulch Irrigation Com- 
pany's canal, near north end of the Lake Fork bench, largely sur- 
rounded by allotments. Mail from Duchesne. 

Lakefork.— Store and postoffice in Sec. 31. Tp. 2 S., R. 3 W., 
surrounded bv an extensive agricultural countrv. Mail from 
Myton. 

DUCHESNE DISTRICT 

Topography. — This district comprises the valleys of the 
Strawberrj^ and Duchesne rivers for a distance of about ten 
miles from Duchesne, and the valleys of Indian creek and Ante- 
lope creek, together with the Blue bench and West bench and the 
mountainous country intervening. 

Soil. — The soil of Antelope and Indian canons is a decom- 
posed shale mixed with vegetable mould. The soil of the Straw- 
berry and Duchesne rivers varies from a sandy loam to heavy 
clay,, and, except where too heavily mineralized, is very produc- 
tive. The soil of the Blue and West benches is principally a 
sandy loam of excellent quality and depth, except near the rims 
of the benches, where tlie soil is shallow and quite stony. 

Vegetation. — The natural vegetation of Antelope and Indian 
canons is largely greasewood; that of the benches, sagebrush, 
cactus and grass; of the river bottoms, greasc^wood, sagebrush, 
rabbit brush, with cottonwood and willow along the streams. 

Live Stock. — Is well adapted to live stock, containing con- 
siderable good summer and winter ranges, and well adapted for 
winter feeding in the valleys. 

Agriculture. — The better soils in the canons produce cereals 
of excellent quality and weight. The Blue bencli. tlie lower por- 
tion of which is being watered for the first time this season, will 
imdoubtedly prove a good agricultural section. Alfalfa and vege- 
tables, especially potatoes, do well throughout tliis <!istrict, so far 
as tried. 

Horticulture. — Although in its infancy, sufficient fruit has 
been raised to demonstrate the feasibility of horticulture. 

Minerals. — Extensive deposits of various hydro-carbons, such 
as Elatcrite, Wurtzelite, Tabbyite, Wiedgerite, etc., are found, and 

68 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

the mining and shipment of wliich liave constituted quite an 
industry. 

Irrigation. — Tlie vallej^s of the various rivers and creeks 
have considerable areas under irrigation, most of the irrigation 
ditches in which are either individual ditches or small associa- 
tions; but because of the greater expense, the Blue bench and 
West bench have been organized into irrigation districts. 

As stated above, the Lower Blue Bench district is being 
watered this season for the first time. The irrigation of the 
Upper Blue bench and West bench is a matter that is being 
considered seriously, and both will no doubt soon be under water. 

Utahn. — Postoffice, located about seven miles northwest of 
Duchesne, in the Duchesne River Valley. 

Duchesne. — Government townsite, situated at junction of 
Strawberry and Duchesne rivers. Population, 500; elevation 
5.515 feet. Incorporated. Telephone system. Proposed water 
works. L. D. S. and Episcopal churches. Splendid public schools. 
Social hall. This is the headquarters for the Duchesne Stage 
and Transportation Company, operating the auto mail and pas- 
senger line from Colton to Vernal. List of business industries: 
Four general stores, two drug stores, two hotels, two livery 
stables, one garage, one blacksmith shop, one pool hall, one ex- 
press and transfer, one butcher shop, one implement house, one 
school house, one social hall, lawyers, doctors, carpenters, paint- 
ers, paperhangers. 

STOCKMORE AND FRUITLAND DISTRICT 

Topography. — Comprises the upper valleys of the Ducliesne 
and Strawberry rivers and tributaries, and the elevated table- 
lands on botJi sides of both of said rivers. 

Soil. — The soil in the river valleys is largely composed of 
sandy loam and clay soils mixed with vegetable mould. The soil 
of the tablelands in the lower portions is principally a red sandy 
loam, which changes to a darker mountain loam in the higher 
sections. 

Vegetation. — The natural vegetation of the river valleys is 
greasewood, sagebrush, rabbit brush, with cottonwood and willow 
along the streams; that of the tablelands is sagebrush, cedars 
and a luxuriant growth of grass. The broken country along the 
canons is covered with cedars. 

Live Stock. — This is the live stock section par excellence, the 
summer ranges affording feed for a large number of sheep, cattle 
and horses, while the winter ranges and facilities for winter feed- 
ing in the valleys make this the stockman's paradise. 

Agricull^ure. — Considerable farming has been done in the val- 
leys of the various streams, and some dry farming in the Fruit- 
land section, but because of the great expense, the largest irriga- 
tion project, proposed to water the Fruitland section, has as yet 
never been constructed. 

Horticulture. — Although not extensively engaged in as yet, 
enough has been done to demonstrate that fruit can be success- 
fully raised in this section. 

Tabby. — Postoffice in Duchesne River Valley; in a productive 
farming section. 

Hanna. — Postoffice in Duchesne River Valley ; has a good 
farming and stock-growing section tributaiy to it. 

Fruitland. — Postoffice on the tableland on east side of Red 
creek, in tlie center of a large section of excellent land as yet un- 
irrigated. 

69 



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WEALTH OF THE UINTAH BASIN, UTAH 

Log of Auto Road from Denver, Colo., 

to Salt Lake City through the 

Uintah Basin 

Legend : H — Hotel. G — Garage. O — Oil and gas obtainable. 
M — Stores. N — Nothing obtainable. S — Some accommodations, 
but generally doubtful. P — Population. E — Elevation. R — Rail- 
road station. Distance from last station shown thus — 14.5 Golden. 

Denver, E 5,280, P 245,523, outfitting point, everything obtain- 
able ; is the state capital, has many beautiful boulevards, parks and 
drives, remarkably well lighted and is well supplied with garages, 
hotels, restaurants and places where anybody can enjoy many 
pleasant and instructive hours. 

Denver to State Bridge (140 m.) : 
D 14.5 Golden. E 5,603, P 3,000, H, G, M, R. 
D 25.1 Idaho Springs, E 7,540, P 2,500 H, G, M, R. 
D 7.6 Empire, E 8.600, P 250, H, M, O, R. 
D 24.5 Eraser, E 8,560, P 350, H, G, M, R. 
D 20.6 Hot Sulphur Springs, E 7,665, P 350, H, G, M, R. 
D 18.2 Kremmling, E 7,322, P 200, H, M, O. R. (Rabbit car 
cut-off from here to Steamboat Springs now building. See map. ) 
D 29.3 State Bridge, E 6600, P 30, H, O, R. 
Roads branch here, one to south route, other to north route. 

The road from Denver to the State Bridge is a fair mountain 
road, winding through canons and over mountain passes. The 
driver should be cautious regarding his brakes, as several steep 
grades are encountered at high altitudes. Passes through many 
beautiful and prosperous towns. 

South route, from State Bridge to K Ranch (212 m.) : 

14.2 Wolcott, E 6,965, P 100, H, G, R, M. 

10 Eagle, E 6,588, P 250, H, G, M, R. 

8 Gypsum, E 6,315, P 225, H, G, M, R. 

7.3 Dotsero, E 6,157, P 25, S. 

18.2 Glenwood Springs, E 5,750, P 2,500, H, G, M, R. 

13 New Castle, E 5,555, P 500, H, G, M, R. 
15.7 Rifle, E 5,300, P 1,100, H, G, M, R. 

42 Meeker, E 6,250, P 1,000, H, G, M. (A road starts here 
for Craig (48 m.), on north route. See map.) 

45 Angora, E 5,500, P 25, S. (Road starts here for Mobley 
(9 m.), on north route. See map.) 

20 Rangley, E 5,370, P 25, H, M, O. 

18 K Ranch, S. 

A grand scenic trip with fishing and hunting along the way, 
an older country than the north route with towns inore numerous. 
Glenwood Springs is one of the best known resorts in the United 
States, with beautiful hotels and bath houses. The Glenwood Hot 
Springs and Hotel Colorado being especially popular. 

Rifle, where you leave the railroad for Meeker, is a great out- 
fitting point. Meeker, one of the largest cities in Colorado with- 
out a railroad, is prosperous and in the center of one of the finest 
stock-raising and farming countries in Colorado. Rangley is in 
the heart of the famous oil fields. 

North route. State Bridge to K Ranch (205 m.) : 

32 Yampa, E 7,884, P 350, G, H, M, R. 

29 Steamboat Springs, E 6,680, P 2,300, G, H, M, R. 
28 Hayden, E 6,340, P 450, G, H, M, R. 

14 Craig, E 6,185, P 500, H, G, M, R. (Road starts here for 
Meeker (48 m. ), on south route. See map.) 

33 Maybell, E 5,900, P 100, H, M, O. 
4 6 Moblev, E 5,700, P 25, S. 

23 K Ranch, S. 

This is a very scenic trip, passing through some wild country, 
abounding with game and fish. The towns are mostly new and 
growing and inhabited by live and up-to-date citizens, especially 
Steamboat Springs, with its beautiful hotels and bath houses, sup- 
plied with the wonderful waters that bubble forth from neighoring 
springs, numbering over 150 and containing wonderful powers. 
Steamboat Springs is getting more popular every day and is well 

72 



WEALTPI OF THE UI N T A ]i BASIN, UTAH 

worth visiting, it for only a day. The Cabin hotel, just completed, 
is one of the finest in Colorado. 

K Ranch to Duchesne, Utah : 
18 Jensen, E 4,700. P 200, H, G, M. 
15.4 Vernal, E 5,330, P 1,200, H, G, M. 
25 Ft. Duchesne, E 4,990, P 150, H, G, M. 
7.7 Roosevelt, E 5.050, P 525, H, G. M. 

11.4 Myton. E 5,125, P. 450, H, G, M. 

20.7 Duchesne, E 5.515, P 500, H, G, M. (Junction of north 
and south roads to Salt Lake.) 

This route crosses the famous Uintah Basin in northeastern 
Utah, which is one of the most resourceful parts of the United 
States, with abundant coal, hydro-carbon and precious metals, be- 
sides being very fertile and well adapted to all kinds of agriculture, 
stock raising, honey, etc. Vernal, in the Ashley Valley, is an old 
city and the largest city without a railroad in the United States 
today. 

Roosevelt, Myton and Duchesne are new towns on the old 
Indian reservation and are rapidly growing and afford excellent 
opportunities to settlers. For detailed information relative to this 
territory see other pages in booklet. 

Hunting and fishing are abundant, hundreds of well-stocked 
lakes covering adjacent lands ; game of all kinds inhabit the moun- 
tains close by. 

South route, Duchesne to Salt Lake (145 m.) : 
51 Colton, E 7,170, P 200, H, O, M, R. 
15 Tucker, E 8,200, P 150, H, O, M, R. 
17 Thistle, E 5,050, P 200, H, R, M. 

13 Springville, E 4,555, P 3,500, H, G, R, M. 

5 Provo, E 4,500, P 9,000, H, G, M, R. (Road to Heber, 27 
m., on north road starts here.) 

9 Geneva, E 4,480, P 350, H, G, M, R. 

4 American Fork, E 4,563, P 3,000. H, G, M, R. 

3 Lehi, E 4,550, P 3,000, H, G, M, R. 

12 Riverton, E 4,400. P 600, H, G. M, R. 

5 Midvale, E 4,365, P 1,800, H, G, M, R. 

4 Murray. E 4,310. P 4,100, H, G, M, R. 
7 Salt Lake. H, G, M, R. 

This is the preferable route, as the roads are good and many 
fine cities are passed through. There is considerable attractive 
scenery, besides beautiful farms, covering the land on both sides of 
the road most of the way. In making your schedule allow some 
time for a stop at Provo. 

North route. Duchesne to Salt Lake (12 6 m.) : 
22 Murdock's Ranch. 

37.5 Daniels Pass. 

19.5 Heber, E 5,560, P 2.100, H. G. M, R. (Road to south 
connects with south route at Provo, 27 m. ) 

14 Park City, E 6.700, P 3,500, H, G, M, R. 
33 Salt Lake, H, G. M, R. 

This route covers new country and generally hard traveling. 
The famous Strawberry project of the reclamation department of 
our government and extremely beautiful scenery are some of the 
attractions. 

Salt Lake, P 109,530, E 4,250, is the capital city of Utah and 
the home of the Mormon church, which has a beautiful temple and 
tabernacle famed for its wonderful organ. Salt Lake is well 
equipped to supply the tourist with all the conveniences he may 
ask for, and on its beautiful roads and drives, both in and out of 
the city, he can enjoy many side trips, including the great Salt 
Air beach. Ft. Douglass, smelters, mines, cjinon resorts, besides 
many public institutions. Hotel Utah, Cullen, Semloh, Wilson and 
Kenyon are among the popular hotels. 



WEALTH OF THE UINTAH B A S I X. UTAH 



Facts About Uintah Basin 

Miles long 120 

Miles wide 70 

Total area in square miles 8,400 

Number of acres 5,376,000 

Number of tillable acres 540,000 

Population (estimated) 25,000 

Number of people to square mile ? 

Number tillable acres to every family outside of 

cities and towns 300 

School population 5,200 

Assessed valuation (Uintah county) $2,500,000 

Assessed valuation (Wasatch county) $2,850,858 

Average altitude, feet 5,500 

Average number days sunshine in year 325 

Average annual precipitation, 15 years, inches 9 

Hydro-Carbons worth $7,000,000,000 

Number head of sheep 200,000 

Annual wool clip, pounds 1,600,000 

Number colonies of bees 5,000 

Honey output worth, 1914 $40,000 

Number acres land under cultivation 100,000 

Number acres Indian allotments 112,000 

Average date last killing frost in spring. May 4. 
Average date first killing frost in autumn, October 4. 

Mean annual temperature 46 

Mean maximum 62 

Mean minimum 33 

Average days maximum above 90 31 

Average days with minimum below 32 163 

Total miles of canals 445 

Number incorporated towns 4 

Total annual exports, tons 50,000 

'total annual imports, tons 25,000 

Number Indians 1,185 




Percheron Stallion "Slasher," No. 13,492 — Owned by W. A. Miles, 

Roosevelt, Utah. 

74 



W E A L T II ( ) F ^1^ TT E U I N T A TI B A S 1 N. UTAH 

Miles of Canals 

Total mileage government main eanals 143 

Dry Gulch Irrigation compan_y 35 

Ashley Upper Irrigation company 12 

Ashley Central Irrigation company 9 

Rock Point and White Wash 6 

Burns Bench 6 

Union •'i 

Upper Burns Bench 4 

Ouray Valley 25 

Colorado Park 15 

New Hope 20 

Uintah Irrigation 15 

Whiterocks Irrigation 18 

Upper Blue Bench (incomplete) 13 

Blue Bench, District No. 1 14 

West Bench 8 

Fruitland (incomplete ) 6 

Lake Fork Western 6 

Farnsworth 14 

Uintah Independent 5 

Cedarview 12 

Farmers 15 

Lake Fork 9 

Big Six 5 

Myton Canal & IiTigation (incomplete) 25 




Photo by H. C. Mean.s, Myton, Utali. 

Government Canal, showing drop — Indian Department has expended 
$850,000 in construction of canals for Indian lands. 

75 



W E A L T H OF THE l^ I X T A H B A S I X. U T A H 

Facts About Utah, 1913 

Area in acres 54,393,600 

Area in square miles (gross) 84,990 

Land 82.184 

Water 2,806 

Extreme breadth, miles 275 

Extreme length, miles 345 

Population (U. S. census estimate. July 1. 19141 414,518 

Increase since 1910 41,518 

Number cities in Utah 53 

Total population of cities 248,710 

Total rural population 165,808 

Number persons to square mile 5 

Percentage of illiteracy 2.5 

Percentage illiteracy, native whites 0.4 

U. S. Percentage illiteracy 7.7 

Number families in state 83,000 

School population 120,000 

Population Salt Lake, (U. S. census estimate. July 

1. 1914) 109,530 

Assessed valuation, state, 1914 $223,859,715 

Output precious and semi-precious metals $44,000,000 

Grain, worth $9,000,000 

Sugar beets, worth $2,500,000 

Hay, worth $9,000,000 

Dairv products, worth $2,200,000 

Wool, pounds 19,000,000 

Poultrv and eggs, worth .' $1,000,000 

Sheep,"worth $8,800,000 

Live stock industrv, worth $15,000,000 

Total value all domestic animals $31,000,000 

Fruit output, worth $2,000,000 

Honey output, worth $100,000 

Output metals since 1S77 $569,000,000 

Dividends from mines since 1877 $120,000,000 

Contents Utah coal fields in tons 196,548,000.000 

Forest reserves in acres 7.436.327 

Revenue to state from forest reserves this year $34,000 

Average value per acre farm land $29.28 

Number farms 21,676 

Total value farm property, including land, buildings, 

machinery, live stock, poultry and bees $150,795,000 

State flower Sego Lilv 

Utah admitted to Union 1896 

Number counties in State 27 




76 



7Amimmj. 



idll 



Horses Boarded by the Day, Week 
or Month 



Uintah 
Livery - Garage 



Ed. C. SUMNER, Proprietor 



VERNAL, 



UTAH 



Automobiles for Hire, General Black- 
smithing, Gas, Oil, Spark Plugs, Tubes and 
Casings and all other auto supplies. 
Auto Repairing 




Hotel 

Colorado 

GlenMrood 
Springs, Colo. 

Cuisine and 

Service 

unexcelled 

Mineral Baths and Outdoor Swimming Pool open the year 'round. Tennis, Golf. Po!o. 
Flshinc, Trap Shooting, Hunting, etc. Automobile side trips over the finest of moun- 
tain roads. 

LOTS IN LAPOINT 




The newest townsite in the Uintah Basin. Plat 
approved April 6lh, 1914. 1 00 acres platted. 

Center for 30,000 acres of farm lands 

Favorably located in the fertile Deep Creek- 
White Rocks Valley. Lapoint will become the 
center of one of the richest agricultural districts in the 
Basin. Canals furnishings water for 20,000 acres 
of land are now completed. 1 0,000 acres addi- 
tional withdrawn under "Carey Act" project now 
being organized. 

Unimproved farm lands, with full water right in 
constructed canals, sell at $1 5 to $30 per acre. 
Lots in Lapoint a good investment — a desirable 
location for the home builder. Write for prices 
and further information to either address below. 



Byron 0. Colton, Jr. 
VERNAL, UTAH 



James C Hacking 
TAFT, UTAH 




HOTEL UTAH 



SALT LAKE CITY 

500 ROOMS, FIREPROOF 

There is an abundance of 
Large Sample Rooms 

Rooms without Bath $1.50 and $2 per 
day. With Bath $2.50 and up 

Under the management of 

GEO. O. REILF 



You can acquire land m 

Uintan Bajsm 

by direct purcnase, '" DIRX CHEAP, or oy nomestead 
and desert entry, :: 540,000 acres irrigable and tillable. 

Vernal district 75,000 acres 

Roosevelt district 125,000 *' 

Myton district 15-5,000 " 

Ducnesne-Stockmore-Fruitland districts 165,000 
Deep Creek, Randlett and otter districts 50,000 '' 

Best watered country in tne West. Average cost or water per 
acre, $10. 

In addition to irrigaole and tillaDle land tnere are tnousands or 
acres or grazing, timoer, nydro-carbon, coal and oil land. 




For full and free information write to the Secretary of Commercial Club of 
any to-w'n in Uintah Basin: W. C. Stark, Secretary Salt Lake Commercial 
Club; or to the Passenger Department D. isf R. G. Ry. Co.. Denver or Salt 
Lake; Denver and Salt Lake (Moffat Road) Ry. Co., Denver; Uintah Ry. 
Co., Mack, Colo. 



Uintah Abstract Company 

[INCORPORATED] 

REAL ESTATE ABSTRACTS INSURANCE 

CONVEYANCING RENTALS PROMOTIONS 

Enos Bennion, Pres. Geo. A. Davis, Vice-Pres. Herbert Tyzack, Secy, and Treas. 

DIRECTORS 

Enos Bennion John S. Hacking Geo. A. Davis John N. Davis 

W. H. Siddoway Edward D. Samuels 

Address: UINTAH ABSTRACT CO., Vernal, Utah 
$2.00 PER YEAR ESTABLISHED 1890 

The Vernal Express 

VERNAL, UTAH 

Leading Weekly Newspaper and best equipped Job Office in 

Northeastern Utah and Uintah Basin — Eight pages all home print^ — 

All of the news concerning development and progress of Uintah 

Basin, given accurately 

HYRUM B. CALDER PONTHA CALDER 



Quality J» Our First Thought 



CALDER BROS 



Ice, Soda Water, Ice Cream and Sherbets 

Pasteurized Creamery Butter 

Full Cream Cheese 



VERNAL. UTAH 



FOR RELIABLE INFORMATION 



on lands and investments, you are invited to call on or 
write us. No hot air artists — we list the bargains and 
give you a straight, honorable deal. Irrigated Farms, 
Stock Ranches, Town Properties, Investments. 



Reference by permission 

Bank of Vernal, Vernal 
Mylon Slate Bank, Myton 



PIONEER REALTY CO. 

MYTON, UTAH 



J. W. MUSSER. Pres. B. W. MUSSER, Vice-Pr«. 

GEO. B. STANDING, SecV-Treas. 

FARMS 

WE SELL UINTAH LANDS 

Inter- Mountain Realty Co. 

TyiE FylRM SHOP 

Suite, 205 Templeton BIdg. Salt Lake City, Utah 



Florence 



Charles 



DeVeaux 



"the: SHURXLEIFFS 




Colorado House It^H'^^'t^.T:: .?r.:::"! Roosevelt, Utah 



livery. Repair Shop. Auto for hire 



Th 



e 



Umtah Railway 

Company 




pNNECTING at Mack, 
Colorado with D. & R. G. 
Railroad. Daily trains be- 
tween Mack, Colorado and 
Watson, Utah, 63 miles. Daily stage from 
Watson to Vernal, Ft. Duchesne and 
intermediate points. Only railroad that 
reaches the Uintah Basin. A novel and 
unique trip for the homeseeker and tourist. 
Road crosses famous Book Cliff range of 
the Rocky Mountains. Climbing Baxter 
Pass from south, trains travel 6 miles to 
cover actual distance of 2 miles. Makes 
71 per cent grades and 65 degree curves. 



Prompt and careful Freight and Passenger Service 
For further information, address 

M. W. COOLEY, General Manager, Mack, Colo. 




When better automobiles 

are built, Buick will 

build them. 

Buick cars are used by 
the Uintah Railway Co., 
and the Duchesne Stage 
& Transportation Co. in 
the Uintah Basin. 



Randall-Dodd Auto Co. 



=L't'd — Distributors: 



UTAH IDAHO WYOMING 

Dealers in Supplies and Accessories 
Day and Night Shop and Garage Service 

BOISE, IDAHO SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 



W. E. BROOME 

THE PAGE FENCE MAN 



BUILDERS' SUPPLIES, HARD- 
WARE, FARM MACHINERY. 
WOVEN WIRE FENCING 



BRANCH OFFICE. 

Vernal, Utah MYTON, UTAH 



The Denver and Salt 
Lake Railroad Co. 



"MOFFAT ROAD" 



THE BEST AND QUICKEST WAY 

to reach the Uintah Basin is via 

The Denver & Salt Lake Railroad 

TO CRAIG. COLORADO 

and thence via Auto Stage to Jensen, Vernal, Ft. Duchesne, 

Myton, Duchesne, Randlett, Ouray and other 

towns in the great Uintah Basin. 

This new standard-guage railroad is projected to be the shortest 
possible route from Denver to Salt Lake City, Utah, now completed 
and in operation to Craig, Moffat County, Colorado, a distance of 
255 miles from Denver, survey having been made for further ex- 
tension west of Craig in the near future. The opening of a new 
empire to the homesteader, homeseeker and business man in Routt 
and Moffatt Counties, Colorado, and the famed Uintah Basin of 
eastern Utah. A vast and magnificent domain yet in the very in- 
fancy of development, surpassingly rich in agriculture, stock growing, 
mining and commercial possibilities, with almost unlimited resources 
in both bituminous and anthracite coal, gilsonite, elaterite and other 
hydro-carbons, only awaiting the touch of transportation facilitifs 
now being provided and planned, and financial enterprise. 



Literature and Information upon request 

W. H. PAUL, G. F. & P. A. 

First National Bank Building Denver, Colorado 



Hotel Arlington 



Thomas Firth, Prop. 




Tourists 
Headquarters 

On the Auto Highway 
Duchesne, Utah 

Recently Remodeled 
24 Rooms 

Colton-Duchesne 
Stage Line 



J. R. WILSON 

REAL ESTATE AND LOANS 

Duchesne City Lots 

DUCHESNE, .-. UTAH 



Odekirk & Company 

Duchesne, Utah 

"The Quality Store 

TEN BARREL GASOLINE TANK 
OIL 

Outfitters: Tents, Tarps, Wagon Covers 



Farm Implements 



General Merchandise 



A. F. MAXWELL 

Oeneral Mercnandise 

Canned Goods Gasoline ana Oil 

MYTON, - - - UTAH 

I.W.OdekirkS^Sons 

MYTON, UTAH 
Groceries^ Fresh and Cured Meats 

Ice Cream Parlor and Luncn Room m connection 
D. J. PEARCE J. F. BABCOCK 

Real Estate 

We make a specialty or Uintah rarm lanas 
and My ton City lots 

'"'TtriTesf '"^ MYTON, UTAH 

xA^ Ducnesne Record 

The Paper that covers the great Uintah Basin 

Subscription, $2.00 per year. Get a good paper and 
keep in toucn ■with tne rapid development or tne larg- 
est undeveloped section in tne United States 

Published at Myton, Utah 

J. P. MAY, Editor 




WILLCOX ACADEMY 

VKUNAI.. ITAIl 

I'.stablislu-d ..i l!l();! 

by tlie Coagifffationiil Kducalion 
Society. All grades from the Primary 
to tour years Hit'li School course. 
Tuition veiy low. Well (rained teach- 
ers aud good equipment. 

Address Geo. A. I>c»vvii<>y, VrliKi(ial 



Auto Supplies and Indian Curios 

at 

Myton Bridge Store 

C. T. BEGGS Myton, Utah 

Pioneer Livery and 

VJiXlil^C A. LIDDELL, Proprietor 

Myton, Utah 

Indian Curios Candy and Cigars 

Post Cards Magazines 

Drugs and Sundries 
W. C. PERRY, Duchesne, Utah 

Transients Rates by Week 

*'""^ Calvert Hotel °"°"" 

Myton, Utah 

A II the Comforts of Home MRS. S. M. CALVERT, Prop. 

The Reservation News 

Published weekly at Myton, Utah in the heart of the 
Greatest Undeveloped Empire of Northeastern Utah 

Learn of the vast resources of the Uintah Basin by sending $1.50 for a year's 
subscription to THE NEWS 

MORTON ALEXANDER, Editor and Publisher MYTON, UTAH 



Get m Right 

W' itn Quality and Service 



Moline and Deering farming implements, 
tne kma that bring tne smiles wnen you 
use them. 



Building material of all kinds, tney put 
a nnisn to your home. 



Sner-wm- Williams paint, it covers the 
eartn, and Drightens tnmgs up. 



Tools that are made to do things witn and 
you can do things "witn tnese tools. 



Stoves that make Jack Frost look sick, 
and cooking a pleasure. 



Quality and Service to you Sir. 



Dintah Builders Supply Co. 

MITON, UTAH 



L. H. ALLAN. General Manager 



Vernal Drug Co. 

(Incorporated) 

Stores in Vernal and Roosevelt, Utah 
Eastern Utah's Leading Prescription Druggists 



AGENCY FOR EASTMAN KODAKS AND SUPPLIES 

FINE CANDIES TOILET ARTICLES 

TOURIST SUPPLIES A. D. S. PREPARATIONS 

IMPORTED AND DOMESTIC CIGARS 



Our Soda Fountain is the most modern equipped fount between 
Salt Lake City and Denver and is open the year round. 



CHOICE STATIONERY, MAPS AND 
AUTOMOBILE GUIDES 



When in Vernal or Roosevelt call and see us, or if you can't 
pay us a visit, mail or phone us your wants and they vv^ill 
receive immediate and careful attention. Don't hesitate to 
send us for anything in the drug line, as w^e have a very com- 
plete stock, but if we haven't it on hand, we will get it. 

TheVERNALDRUGCO. 

VERNAL, UTAH 

"THE BUSY DRUGGISTS" 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



017 063 784 7 



BANK UJt^ 
VERNAL 



Oldest, Strongest, 
Most Conservative 

Bank in the Uintah Basin 



) 



4% interest paid on Time Deposits. 
Money transferred to all parts of the 
world. Checks and drafts collected 
for our customers without cost. 

We invite the homeseeker and 
investor to come to this land of wond- 
rous opportunity and start business 
with us. We assure 

Safety and 
Protection 

Capital, surplus and undivided profits 

$60,000.00 

and growing daily 



J. H. READER, President H. BENNION, Vice President 

N. J. MEAGHER, Cashier 
W. H. COLTHARP JOHN N. DAVIS 

PLEASE ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO 

BANK OF VERNAL, Vernal Utah 



